With a dismal performance on dirt now a distant memory, trainer Phil D'Amato's sensational Irish-bred Going Global remained unbeaten on the Santa Anita turf as she waltzed to a comfortable 1 ¾-length score in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden for the first time by Umberto Rispoli, Going Global got a flat mile in 1:33.97.
A measured second, one length off of pacesetter Javanica three furlongs out, Going Global, who typically rallies from off the pace, took command leaving the quarter pole and under a vigorous hand ride, proved much the best.
“Although (it was) a small field, she was very impressive,” said D'Amato, who has now saddled Going Global to win seven of her nine stateside starts. “She did it very easily. Umberto got her to relax and she did everything very well today. That last one on the dirt, that was my mistake. I should have never run her that day. She had a nice freshening since then and she responded very well. We are going to keep her on the grass the rest of the year and see where we are at year's end.”
Sixth, beaten 15 ¼ lengths in the Grade 1 American Oaks, originally scheduled for grass, but switched to a wet-fast main track on Dec. 26, Going Global is now unbeaten in five starts, all stakes, over the Santa Anita lawn.
Off at 1-5 in a field of four older fillies and mares, Going Global, a 4-year-old filly, paid $2.60 and $2.10 with no show wagering.
“She's an unbelievable filly, an incredible score,” said Rispoli, who was aboard for the first time in the Royal Heroine. “It is not her usual style of running but when the race comes up, sometimes you have to change something. From my experience, if you have a good horse, you just have to be up there (close to the pace), no matter the field.”
Owned by Dubb, Gevertz, Nentwig, et al, Going Global, who picked up her sixth graded stakes win, is now 13-8-1-0 overall and with the winner's share of $120,000, increased her earnings to $769,292.
Ridden by John Velazquez, Javanica was hustled to the early lead and despite being overtaken by the winner turning for home, kept to her task to finish second by 2 ¼ lengths over another D'Amato Irish-bred, Excelerina.
Off at 8-1, Javanica paid $4.00 to place.
Fractions on the race were 24.59, 48.35, 1:10.86 and 1:22.30.
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