Cinderella story? Glass Slippers out to crack America for Ryan in Turf Sprint

5.39 Keeneland
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 1) | 5½f | 3yo+ | SKY

Glass Slippers may have just failed in her bid for a second consecutive Abbaye, but the filly is on the hunt for more top-level success on a first start in America.

Trained by Kevin Ryan, Glass Slippers is no stranger to travelling abroad in search of big-race wins, but Saturday's race will represent her longest journey.

Although her bid to become the first back-to-back winner of the Abbaye since Lochsong came up a neck short, the daughter of Dream Ahead has struck at Group 1 level this season in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

The biggest question surrounding her chances on Saturday evening appears to be the ground. Although last season's Abbaye win came on very soft ground and she handled heavy at Longchamp last month, as a juvenile Glass Slippers did win on good to firm.

Fast conditions await at Keeneland, but Adam Ryan, son and assistant to his father, thinks she can handle quick ground.

Kevin Ryan: trainer of Glass SlippersCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "This year her best form is with cut in ground but she's got form on all sorts of ground. She's shown in the last couple of years that she starts to come to herself this time of year.

"She takes her travelling very well. She's got a good draw [stall seven] as sometimes in America you can get a bit trapped from the inside. It's exciting and hopefully she'll run a big race."

Equilateral is the other European challenger in the field, but is first reserve so not guaranteed a run.

Frankie Dettori is booked for the five-year-old, and trainer Charlie Hills said: "He's in great form and we're very happy with him. The style of racing should suit him, he's a strong traveller in his races."

What they say

Joe Orseno, trainer of Imprimis
I’m happy to have Irad [Ortiz jnr, jockey] to ride him. He’s a quality rider who knows the horse. He could get bottled up in there [stall three], but he has enough tactical speed for us to really do what we want.

Rusty Arnold, trainer of Leinster
I'm happy with the draw [stall seven] and he’s handy enough to get position. I don’t think there's a home-court advantage on a turf course. He likes it firm and he likes any turf course. Here he gets to run out of his own barn, and I think that means more than the course.

Mark Casse, trainer of Got Stormy
An outside draw [stall 12] is good. Going five and a half furlongs on the turf, I would not want to be on the inside unless I had a tremendous amount of speed. I think Tyler [Gaffalione, jockey] will find a spot, so that works out well.

Saturday's Breeders' Cup previews:

'It's going to be a great race' – Baffert can't pick between his Classic trio

The proven Magical meets the promising Mogul as O'Brien seeks seventh Turf win

Guineas hero Kameko in 'super condition' for Breeders' Cup Mile swansong

First for Fanshawe as Audarya takes on strong home team in Filly & Mare Turf

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