George Krikorian's War Like Goddess passed her first test against males Saturday when capturing the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic G1) Saturday at Belmont at the Big A, positioning her for another start against males in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Keeneland.
Jose Lezcano bided his time until the top of the stretch with the 5-year-old English Channel mare, who raced in third early then willingly rallied after a couple taps of the whip to overtake pacesetter Bye Bye Melvin and cruise to a 2 ¾-length win.
Bye Bye Melvin hung on for second, three-quarters of a length in front of 67-1 longshot Astronaut in third in the seven-horse field that included three other Grade 1 winners.
War Like Goddess was timed in 2:27.29 for the 1 ½ miles on firm turf while becoming the first female since All Along to capture the elite turf contest in 1983 en route to Horse of the Year honors. She returned $3.90.
War Like Goddess has a 3-1-0 record from four starts this year, including victories in the Bewitch (G3) in April at Keeneland and Glens Falls (G2) in August at Saratoga before finishing second in the Flower Bowl (G2) Sept. 3 in her start prior to Saturday's race. She capped last season with a third in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar after her first top-level win in the Flower Bowl.
Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, War Like Goddess is out of the North Light mare Misty North and was purchased for $30,000 at the 2019 OBS June Sale from Hemingway Racing & Training Stables.
G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Quotes
Bill Mott, winning trainer of War Like Goddess (No. 2, $3.90*): “I was hoping when he [Jose Lezcano] went down the backside and only had one turn left [she would be outside]. He tipped her out and from there, there shouldn't be any excuse of getting in trouble.
“It looked like at the eighth pole she got to him [No. 1, Bye Bye Melvin] and she wasn't doing it on her own. He did tap her and then she went on. It looked like he tapped her and then the second time he tapped her, she really went.”
On if beating males validates her upcoming attempt against males in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf: “I always thought she belonged. There's good horses and she could get outrun, but I think she deserves an opportunity, for sure. I don't think we're out of line whatsoever. We're a long ways from the winner's circle, but I think she deserves her opportunity. She's done nothing wrong.”
Jose Lezcano, winning jockey aboard War Like Goddess (No. 2): “Bill [Mott] is very easy. He told me the horse can lug in or out, but he never told me, 'I want you here or over there.' The filly is very easy to ride. She broke very good and I moved her up a little more than I wanted to, but she seemed a little quiet so I moved her up a little more. I wanted position at the start of the race and the one [Bye Bye Melvin] and the four [Astronaut] went, so I sat right there. I stepped aside and stayed there the whole way around. It was very easy to get there, there were only seven horses.
“She's a very nice mare and she does everything right. When I asked her, she gave me her race. She's a very good horse. When you ride a horse for Billy, you've always got a chance to win this kind of race.”
Feargal Lynch, jockey aboard runner-up Bye Bye Melvin (No. 1): “It [going to the lead] was the game plan. He was the only speed in the race, so we just let him go to the lead. He sat and relaxed nice. He was picking it up and doing everything right. We just got run down by a nice horse. We've very proud of him. He kept galloping all the way. He's a good horse and he belongs here. I'm just happy he showed how good he is.”
Winning margin: 2 ¾-lengths
Final time (1 1/2 miles, inner turf): 2:27.29
Fractions: :24.25, :48.96, 1:13.68, 1:39.10, 2:03.40
Full order of finish: 2-1-4-5-6-3-7
The post ‘I Always Thought She Belonged’: War Like Goddess Defeats Males In Joe Hirsch Turf Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
