NEWS
Goldikova targets Mile three-peat
Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:11 PM
GOLDIKOVA
Benoit & Associates photo
Goldikova (Ire) will stay in training in 2010, with an unprecedented Breeders’ Cup triple as her main objective.
The French-based Anabaa filly prevailed for the second straight year in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on November 7 at Santa Anita Park (video). Lure is the only two-time Breeders’ Cup winner to try for a three-peat. He won the Mile in 1992 and ’93 and finished ninth in ’94.
Goldikova will shift her aim to Churchill Downs in 2010 after trips to Santa Anita Park the last two years for owners-breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.
“She came back from America in very good form and she is very well in herself and could not be better,” trainer Freddie Head told England’s Press Association. "I know the Wertheimers would love to go back to America for the Breeders' Cup again so that will be the aim, a third win. We haven't made a decision yet what the rest of her program will be.”
Goldikova overcame the widest post in a field of 11 in this year’s Mile, rallying under jockey Olivier Peslier to win by a half-length in 1:32.26, more than a second faster than her time of 1:33.40 in the 2008 Mile.
"I think this year's performance was every bit as good,” said Head, who won the Mile twice as a jockey with another filly, Miesque. “The time was faster than the previous year and she had the draw to overcome, so I think it was a very good performance."
