Goldikova Favored to Defend Mile Title

A 4-year-old daughter of Anabaa—Born Gold, by Blushing Groom, Irish-bred Goldikova won the 2008 Mile by 1 1/4 lengths as the 9-5 favorite on the same turf course. This season, the bay filly won three consecutive group I stakes in Europe before running third by a half-length Oct. 3 at Longchamp in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-I). The Freddie Head trainee has assigned Olivier Peslier to again ride Goldikova, who drew post 11.

Installed as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line was fellow European invader Delegator, a 3-year-old Dansili colt who races for Godolphin.

Delegator won two group stakes in England this season and was beaten only a neck by Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) morning-line favorite Mastercraftsman in the St. James Palace Stakes (Eng-i) in June at Ascot. Frankie Dettori will have the mount for Saeed bin Suroor and break from post 4.

The top American hope is thought to be Magnolia Racing Stable’s Cowboy Cal  , who enters off a victory in the Oct. 10 Oak Tree Mile (gr. IIT) for his first turf win of the season. John Velazquez will be in the irons for Todd Pletcher.

Other American contenders are Godolphin’s Justenuffhumor  , a winner of six consecutive races before finishing sixth in the Oct. 10 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland, and Whatsthescript, who finished third in the BC Mile last year.

Post time for the race is scheduled for 1:28 p.m. PDT.