Shisospicy will contest the 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia during the Saudi Cup meeting
- Turf Diario
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner will head to the Middle East under the care of José D'Angelo
HALLANDALE, Florida.- Shisospicy, the filly who dazzled in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), has finalized her 2026 calendar for a year that promises high-stakes excitement. Connections of the bay utilized the FanDuel TV airwaves to announce a five-stop campaign aimed at crowning her the absolute queen of global turf sprinting.
The adventure kicks off Feb. 14 at King Abdulaziz racecourse. The daughter of Mitole will join the Saudi Cup (G1)festival, taking on the boys in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2). Following her Saudi stint, the Jose D’Angelo trainee will not return home; she will remain in the desert to land at Meydan on March 28, where she will contest the prestigious Al Quoz Sprint (G1) as part of the Dubai World Cup (G1) program.
Optimism within the Morplay Racing camp is at an all-time high. "By the way she is training, I feel she can compete at that level," stated D’Angelo, her conditioner. Meanwhile, Rich Mendez, the face of the stable, was blunt regarding the reasons for this international journey: "Money makes the difference, but we also believe this is the best opportunity to show her to the world and silence those who doubt her speed."
Mendez went further, throwing down a gauntlet that is already generating buzz: a potential showdown against the Hong Kong phenom, Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), winner of 16 consecutive races and recent hero of The Everest (G1). "I would love to see a match between them," the owner fired off.
Once the Asian leg is complete, Shisospicy will head back to the United States for the second half of the year, where she will reappear in a yet-to-be-determined race at Saratoga, followed by a trip to Kentucky Downs. The Music City Stakes (G2), or potentially the Ladies Sprint (G1)—recently promoted to the top flight—are on the radar.
The grand finale will be her title defense in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. If successful, she would emulate the legendary Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast), the only female to date capable of winning the race in back-to-back years.
Shisospicy made headlines at Del Mar and now aspires to a 2026 campaign that will blend international goals with domestic targets. Time will bring her maturity and toughness, which, combined with her speed, could prove lethal for her rivals...
