by Jeff Lowe
The upset win by Gitano Hernando (GB) in the Goodwood Stakes (G1) on October 10 may blow open the floodgates for European horses and also nudge the connections of Zenyatta toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Gitano Hernando was 18-to-1 in the Goodwood, his U.S. debut, and he probably would have been even higher on the tote board if jockey Kieren Fallon had not traveled in from Europe to retain the mount.
Fallon was aboard for Gitano Hernando’s two-length victory in a conditions race on September 17 at Wolverhampton, which was 15 1/4 lengths in front of Muhannak (Ire), the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Marathon winner.
The Marathon was on the radar for Gitano Hernando before he turned away Grade 1 winners Colonel John and Richard’s Kid for a determined Goodwood triumph that thrust the $5-million Classic into his path.
Owners Team Valor International and Gary Barber would have to pay $250,000 in nomination and entry fees to make him eligible for the Classic, compared to $115,000 for the Marathon.
“One thing that we are convinced of is that Gitano Hernando can run a mile-and-a-half if need be,” Team Valor principal Barry Irwin said. “What has been particularly heartening is to see how much handier he is on a synthetic track. We never thought until this month that he would be able to run against the very best horses at less than 12 furlongs.”
Gitano Hernando originally was a candidate for the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 6, after he finished second by a head to South Easter in the Dee Stakes (Eng-G3) on May 8 at Chester in his stakes debut. He was lame a few days after the Dee, eliminating the Belmont option, and he did not race again until Irwin and trainer Marco Botti found the return spot on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton.
The Hernando (Fr) colt is now unbeaten in three starts on synthetic surfaces, and his success will do nothing to dissuade the connections of horses with more distinguished European form from targeting the Classic.
With Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner Sea The Stars now retired, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-G1) winner Rip Van Winkle and Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) winner Mastercraftsman lead the list of possible European invaders.
The Goodwood result also may encourage owners Jerry and Ann Moss to take a shot at the Classic with Zenyatta, who radiated brilliance once again in the Lady’s Secret Stakes (G1) about an hour later.
Godolphin Racing could have an emerging Classic candidate in Giralamo, who won the Jerome Handicap (G2) on October 11 at Belmont Park in his stakes debut, but the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) on the dirt at Aqueduct may be a more attractive choice.
Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. also mentioned the Classic as a possibility for Court Vision after his victory in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1), but he said the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) was a more likely target.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer