Month: October 2022

Back at her preferred distance, Phil D'Amato's Irish-bred Going Global was nothing short of brilliant in defending her title in Saturday's $200,000 Goldikova Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita by 1 ½ lengths.

In what figures to be her career finale, the diminutive 4-year-old Mehmas filly got one mile on turf in 1:33.85 under Umberto Rispoli.

A restrained third, about 2 ½ lengths off her pacesetting stablemate Burgoo Alley around the first turn, Going Global got on terms with the early leader at the top of the lane and burst clear for her ninth career stakes win—eight of which have come in graded company.

Although second to Avenue de France, who was off the board today, in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on turf Sept. 10 at Del Mar, Going Global was bet down to 1-5 favoritism in a field of six fillies and mares today and paid $2.60.

One for four in Ireland, Going Global made her 13th stateside start today with D'Amato and registered her sixth win from seven tries over the Santa Anita turf. She won last year's Goldikova by 1 1/2 lengths at Del Mar.

Ticketed for Keeneland's Fasig-Tipton “Night of the Stars” Sale on Nov. 6, Going Global, who is owned by CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano, picked up $120,000 for the Goldikova win, increasing her earnings to $1,137,292 from an overall mark of 10-2-1 from 17 starts.

Next to last, about six lengths off the lead heading into the far turn, England's Rose rallied well through the lane under Victor Espinoza to finish 3 ½ lengths better than longshot Karakatsie for second money.

Close early, Karakatsie outfinished Burgoo Alley for third by a neck with Joe Bravo up.

Going Global, who is out of the Invasor mare Wrood, is campaigned by CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano.

Fractions on the race were :23.69, :47.57, 1:10.80, and 1:22.26.

GOLDIKOVA STAKES (G3) QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES
UMBERTO RISPOLI, GOING GLOBAL, WINNER: “I was on the right horse. She is very easy to ride. Once I hit the turn to go home, I just pressed the button and she did the rest. She can go forever, and it's a good way to go out. It's always sad to see a horse like her go. I feel so privileged and grateful to have been on her for her final race.”

TRAINER QUOTES
PHIL D'AMATO, GOING GLOBAL, WINNER: “She's just the epitome of a champion in my heart. She's done so much for me. She's won many graded stakes in stylish fashion and she's probably the best grass filly I've ever trained.

“It means a lot and to send her out, potentially a winner, I mean that's what I thought we owed to her, and she did it in stylish fashion.

“She just has all the attributes, the heart, the will and an unbelievable turn of foot.”

MICHAEL NENTWIG, GOING GLOBAL, WINNER: “She is an amazing filly. She is a once in a lifetime horse. It is sad to see her go. This is tough (fighting back tears). She is so tough. She leaves next Thursday for the sale. If the right price is not met, then we will bring her back and decide about racing her again.”

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Irish-bred Balnikhov deftly wove through traffic in the stretch, then came flying on the outside to catch front-runner Wit late and win the $300,000 Bryan Station (G3) for 3-year-old turf runners Saturday at Keeneland.

With Tyler Gaffalione aboard for trainer Phil D'Amato, Balnikhov came from next to last in the 12-horse field and scored by a neck while covering one mile in 1:35.48 on a fast track. He retuned $15.28.

Wit, the 2-1 favorite, hung on for second, and was a half length to the good of third-place finisher Axthelm.

Belmont Derby (G1) winner Classic Causeway dictated the early pace, leading through six furlongs in 1:11.87 but was swamped in the final furlong and finished sixth.

A son of Adaay owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and Old Bones Racing Stable LLC,, Balnikhov began his career in France before notching his first U.S. win and first stakes victory in the Oceanside Stakes July 22 at Del Mar. He was a creditable fourth in the Del Mar Derby (G2) Sept. 3 in his start prior to the Bryan Station. He was ready to race Saturday and broke through for his first graded win with a gutsy performance.

Balnikhov, whose dam is the First Defence mare Leeward, has an overall record of 5-3-2 from 14 starts and $398,343 in earnings. His record includes a runner-up finish in the American Turf (G2) in May at Churchill Downs after finishing second in the listed Singletary Stakes April 2 at Santa Anita in his U.S. debut.

BRYAN STATION (G3) QUOTES

Billy Koch (of Little Red Feather Racing, co-owner of winner Balnikhov): “(Jockey) Tyler (Gaffalione) did an amazing job. That was a crazy ride. I haven't even watched the replay, but I know he was buried down on the rail. It got a little nerve-wracking, but then I saw once he got clear – he has that big turn of foot. Congratulations to (co-owner) Madaket (Stables) and Sol (Kumin of Madaket), Andrew Molasky (of co-owner Old Bones Racing Stable) – I know he's watching too. And (trainer) Phil (D'Amato), what an incredible job. Special thanks to (trainer) Chris Davis, who helped us out while we were here. Incredible ride by Tyler. To all the Little Red Feather (Racing) partners out there, congratulations. Listen, any day at Keeneland is amazing. The weather's been beautiful and the people here are so nice and so gracious. So any win at Keeneland is special, but to win a race like this is really special.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider): “I want to thank the connections for this opportunity. That was a lot of fun to ride. Also (California-based jockey) Umberto Rispoli (who rode Balnikhov at Del Mar in his previous two races) – he helped me out a lot, telling me how to ride the horse. It worked out well. Man, he's got some turn of foot. All I had to do was find space. I was wanting to get out but they were fanning out. A spot opened up inside and I followed Joel (Rosario on Ready to Purrform) and I was able to find some room.”

Jose Ortiz (rider of runner-up Wit): “Horse had a great run. We hit the quarter pole and I was just waiting, and I was able to wait as long as I wanted to. When I asked him to go, he just ran really nicely. The last couple jumps the horse (Balnikhov) came running and beat us. I think my horse ran a very good race and I had no problem with my trip. It was perfect.”

The post Balnikhov Captures Bryan Stakes With Gutsy Stretch Run appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Trainer Norman Cash and Lola Cash's Double Crown wheeled back off just one week's rest to post a 42-1 upset victory in Saturday's Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap for 3-year-olds and up traveling a one-turn mile at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

Piloted to victory by J.D. Acosta, Double Crown stunned the field of six with a rallying effort from 2 1/2 lengths off the pace to give Cash the first graded stakes win of his career. It was also the first graded victory for the son of Bourbon Courage, who previously earned two placings in 2020 at the sprint distance when third in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream Park and runner-up to Grade 1 winner Yaupon in the Grade 3 Chick Lang at Pimlico Race Course.

“It's a first graded stakes win for the boss, Mr. Cash, who is a great guy to work for,” said Jay Libertini, assistant to Cash. “He had a death in the family, so he couldn't be here. We all love Mr. Cash and his family, and we're excited for him.”

Double Crown emerged well from post 5 and settled towards the rear of the field as Empty Tomb skimmed the rail to lead the compact field through an opening quarter-mile in :24.32 over the fast going. Post time favorite Baby Yoda, with Hall of Famer Javier Castellano up, rushed up on the outside to challenge for the lead with Shackqueenking on even terms to his inside through a half-mile in :48.60.

Shackqueenking and Empty Tomb matched strides approaching the turn while Baby Yoda was asked for more from Castellano and engulfed his rivals to take charge after three-quarters in 1:13.11. With Baby Yoda appearing to draw clear down the stretch, Double Crown went wide and rallied strongly under urging from Acosta, chipping away at Baby Yoda's margin before finally inching clear just past the sixteenth pole to win by 1 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:37.16.

Baby Yoda held second 8 1/4 lengths ahead of Shackqueenking with Empty Tomb another 1 1/4 lengths back. Morello, who stumbled at the start, and Title Ready completed the order of finish.

It was the sixth graded win for Acosta, who said he felt confident in his horse.

“I saw Javier stay wide and he had the best horse. So, when he made the move, I was able to follow him down the stretch and then put him on the outside,” said Acosta. “I felt like I had plenty of horse and I thought I was going to win.

“At the eighth-pole, I thought I was going to get it,” Acosta added. “I looked back and I was hoping no one else was going to catch us and when I asked my horse, he took off and he was strong.”

The 5-year-old Double Crown was haltered by Cash for $40,000 out of a close runner-up effort going one mile in June at Churchill Downs. He arrived at the Kelso on the heels of a fourth-place finish one week ago in the Maryland Millions Classic at Laurel Park where he was bumped at the start and forced four-wide in the turn before flattening out down the stretch.

Libertini said Double Crown has been a special part of the barn.

“This horse, we claimed for $40,000 and has done nothing wrong for us,” said Libertini. “He's had a couple of strong seconds. We really thought last weekend in the Maryland Million Classic that he was going to win. He got a bad trip, and he was hung wide. We thought he'd be second in the stretch, but he got bumped and flattened out to fourth. He came out of the race really well, so I asked the boss, 'Where do you want to go with him?' ”

Acosta said a cleaner trip made the difference for Double Crown.

“I had a perfect trip. I ended up being wide,” said Acosta. “Last time, this horse got bumped really hard, so the trainer told me don't get in trouble. He broke fast and I was between horses and I thought, 'I don't want to get in trouble.'”

The Kelso was the 12th start of the year for Double Crown, adding to an optional claiming win on August 8 at Colonial Downs and a runner-up finish in the Polynesian on September 24 at Pimlico. His other two stakes victories came as a sophomore in the Roar and Carry Back at Gulfstream.

Bred in Maryland by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman and Rebecca Davis, the consistent Double Crown's record now stands at 24-6-8-1 with total purse earnings of $548,265. He returned $86.50 for a $2 win wager and banked $165,000 in victory.

Castellano said Baby Yoda, who Acosta had ridden to victory on debut for a $10,000 tag, was simply second best.

“My horse ran a good race. When I asked him, he responded,” Castellano said. “Unfortunately, the other horse finished really strong.”

The Kelso awarded the top-four finishers a free nomination and starting fee in the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile slated for December 3 at the Big A.

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