by Steve Bailey

Another start, another scintillating performance for European invader Goldikova (Ire).

The three-year-old Anabaa filly found an opening in traffic at the quarter pole and unleashed a powerful rally to earn a 1 1/4-length victory in the $1,951,080 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) on Saturday at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park.

Goldikova entered off three consecutive group stakes victories in France, including the Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1) on August 3 and the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1) on September 7, and became the first female to capture the Mile since Six Perfections (Fr) beat Touch of the Blues (Fr) in the 2003 Mile, the last time the event was held at Santa Anita Park.

"She did it like she always does," said jockey Olivier Peslier, who won his second career Breeders' Cup race after scoring aboard Banks Hill (GB) in the '01 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). "She's a very, very good filly."

Trainer Freddie Head also found himself in the winner's circle following the Mile for the third time in his career but first as a trainer. The 61-year-old Chantilly, France, native won back-to-back editions of the Mile as a jockey with Miesque in 1987 and '88. He became the first Breeders' Cup-winning jockey to train a Breeders' Cup winner.

"This is amazing," said Head, who retired from riding in 1997 at age 50. "It's something you can't imagine. All I can say is life has been good to me."

Grade 1 winner Thorn Song went right to the lead and set the pace through a half-mile in :46.52 and six furlongs in 1:10.07.

Appearing trapped behind a wall of horses around the turn, Goldikova,the 9-to-5 favorite, found an opening in tight quarters and quickly accelerated into the clear, driving home under a several right-handed taps of the whip by Peslier to cover the distance in 1:33.40 on firm turf.

"There really was no trouble," Peslier said. "We were inside in a good spot. She's very clever and just waited until she found room before she took off."

Last year's Mile winner, Kip Deville, closed gamely for second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of Whatsthescript (Ire) with Precious Kitten finishing another head back in fourth.

Owned by the renowned Werthheimer family, Goldikova won for the sixth time in nine career starts with two second-place finishes and a third. A jubilant Alain Wertheimer said the talented filly "absolutely" will return to the track next season.

For a video replay of the Breeders' Cup Mile, click here.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times