NEWS
Goldikova dazzles in Prix d’Ispahan
Posted: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:34 PM
by Mike Curry
Last year, superb miler Goldikova (Ire) was unable win at the 1,850-meter (9.20-furlong) distance of the Prix d’Ispahan (Fr-G1) in her season debut, but she went on to win four of five subsequent starts, including a repeat win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), en route to the Eclipse Award as champion turf female and the Cartier Award as Europe's champion older horse.
If Sunday’s victory in this year’s Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp is any indication, Goldikova could be even better this year. Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s homebred Anabaa mare kicked off her five-year-old season in style, settling off the pace under Olivier Peslier and uncoiling her devastating turn of foot on cue with about 400 meters remaining to take charge.
Goldikova began to shorten stride a bit late as improving four-year-old Byword closed in on the champion, but the outcome was never in doubt as she broke the stakes record by completing the distance in 1:49.40 on turf rated as good.
Although it is hard to fathom after Goldikova won ten of 15 starts in her first three seasons, she might be still on the upswing as she kicks off her 2010 campaign. Until Sunday, she was winless in two attempts beyond a mile, but she capably cleared that hurdle.
"She is extraordinary. She broke the record for the race and it was a tough race,” winning trainer Freddie Head told England’s Press Association. "She can go early or wait at the back—she is a freak.
“She was never far away and was the first to go for home, and to keep on going is something else. That was over nine furlongs today, too. A mile is her distance, definitely, she is a miler.”
Her swelling fan base will get a chance to see Goldikova next in the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-G1) on June 15 at Royal Ascot.
"I'm really looking forward to Ascot now,” Head said. “The Queen Anne comes at exactly the right time, it is the right distance, and I think she will love the straight mile there.”
Out of multiple group stakes producer Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr), Goldikova earned her eighth win at the highest level.
Prix du Muguet (Fr-G1) winner Byword was impressive despite tasting defeat for the first time this year, finishing ten lengths clear of third-place finisher and German classic winner Wiener Walzer. French classic winner Stacelita was another six lengths back in fourth, more than 16 lengths behind Goldikova.
A Juddmonte Farms homebred, Byword is a half brother to Grade 1 winner Proviso (GB).
Also on Sunday at Longchamp, lightly raced Sarafina handled a significant class test by winning the Montjeu Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-G1) in only her second career start.
A homebred of the Aga Khan, the Refuse To Bend (Ire) filly entered the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) race for three-year-old fillies off a six-length debut win on May 3 at Chantilly. Sarafina reeled in Group 1-winning pacesetter Hibaayeb and held off fast-closing runner-up Deluxe by a half-length to prevail.
After an inquiry regarding whether Sarafina impeded a fading opponent when she launched her winning bid, the result was confirmed that Sarafina successfully made the jump from maiden winner to Group 1 winner.
Sarafina is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Sanaya, runner-up in the 2006 Prix Saint-Alary.
Deluxe, by Storm Cat, won each of her two previous starts before the runner-up finish in the Prix Saint-Alary. The Juddmonte Farms homebred is out of 2006 English Broodmare of the Year Hasili (Ire), dam of six group or graded stakes winners, including five Grade/Group 1 winners and three champions.
Also on Sunday’s card, Godolphin’s multiple group stakes winner Kite Wood edged multiple group stakes winner and steeplechaser Kasbah Bliss by three-quarters of a length to win the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Fr-G2).
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
READER COMMENTS
|
|
|
Posted by: Keeneland observer, Lexington, KY on May 24, 2010 at 11:10 AM
This is one great filly. While all the talk last year was centered only on Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, Goldikova may be better than both of them.
Report Abuse 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: medlocke, Nancy, KY on May 23, 2010 at 08:20 PM
Goldikova made Stacelita look like an allowance level filly in this race. Byword is the only horse in the field that ran strong against Goldikova. But you could tell as soon as they broke out of the starting gate that this was going to be Goldikova's day.
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by: Susie, Holt, MO on May 23, 2010 at 07:20 PM
Awesome Goldikova! Got to see her win her first of 2 (so far) Breeders Cup races in person. What a pure talent she is. I wish her Best of Luck in all of 2010!!! Hope to help welcome her back to the States later this Fall!
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
