The amazing mare Goldikova unleashed a huge turn of foot in the stretch and overtook the leaders of the $1,818,000 TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) (VIDEO) as she became the first-ever three-time consecutive winner of a World Championships race.
Unfavorably drawn in post 10, the 5-year-old Goldikova was mid-pack early as Sidney's Candy attempted to steal the mile grass race on the front end. The 13-10 choice did not make her move until the field turned for home. The 5-year-old daughter of Anabaa did not waste any time, though, picking off her rivals one by one until she drew off to a 1 3/4-length triumph.
With Sidney’s Candy setting pretty quick fractions of :24.02, :47.49, and 1:11.33 through the first three-quarters of a mile, Goldikova completed the mile in 1:35.16.
As the solid favorite, Goldikova paid $4.60, $3.20, and $2.40. Gio Ponti , second behind Zenyatta in the 2009 Classic (gr. I), also finished well to be second by a neck, paying $4 and $3.20. The Usual Q. T. paid $6.60 after nosing the surging Paco Boy for the show spot.
Trained by Freddy Head, who rode Miesque to back-to-back victories in the Mile, Goldikova races for Wertheimer and Frere. She has now won or placed in 20 of 21 career starts, including 15 victories to her credit.
"She is the best filly in the world," jockey Olivier Peslier, as an ESPN announcer added "for now" in obvious reference to Zenyatta’s attempt later on the card for her 20th victory against no losses.
"It is something unreal," said Head, who has now won the mile times as a rider or trainer, all with females. "It looks too good to be true. She's a real fighter."
The owners said there were no immediate plans for the mare. Goldikova improved her career record to 15-3-2 in 21 races while banking $6,154,157. Goldikova has won five of six starts in 2010 with one second, all in grade I events.
"I wish the filly (Goldikova) was not in the race," said Christophe Clement, trainer of Gio Ponti, reigning American male turf champion. "Unfortunately, (we were) second-best. The filly is a freak. She’s the best miler we’ve seen for a long, long time.”