With a hot pace to run at, California-bred Closing Remarks rallied from far back to take Sunday's closing day co-feature at Santa Anita, the $200,000 Goldikova Stakes (G2), getting one mile on turf in 1:32.69.
Trained by Carla Gaines and ridden by Juan Hernandez, the 5-year-old Vronsky mare was up to win by a half-length over even-money favorie Queen Goddess.
As expected, Irish-bred Hamwood Flier went to the front out of the gate and enjoyed a two length advantage over Queen Goddess around the clubhouse turn. Heading up the backside, Closing Remarks had one horse beat while about seven off the lead.
Heading to the far turn, Hernandez opted to sit chilly as Lucky Girl rallied from last to her outside, but Closing Remarks would soon be into gear three-deep turning for home and rolled late to easily reel in the favorite well inside the sixteenth pole.
Owned and bred in California by Harris Farms Inc., Closing Remarks, a three-time graded stakes winner who was most recently fourth going 1 1/4 miles on turf in the Rodeo Drive (G2) on Oct. 7 at Santa Anita, was off at 5-1 in a field of six fillies and mares and paid $13.60 for the win.
Out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, Closing Remarks has five stakes wins and is 7-5-4 from 24 career starts. With the Goldikova's winner's share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $999,320.
Queen Goddess, idle since her third in the Gamely Stakes (G1) on May 29 at Santa Anita, overtook Hamwood Flier a furlong out but was no match for the winner late.
Hamwood Flier held off Full Count Felicia by a head for third.
Santa Anita's leading rider through 18 racing days, Hernandez notched his league-leading seventh stakes win and his 24th overall victory.
Fractions on the race were :22.67, :45.38, 1:08.38, and 1:20.42.
GOLDIKOVA STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY JUAN HERNANDEZ, CLOSING REMARKS, WINNER: “This mare she tries all the time, she's a really nice, honest mare. She knows what she is doing on the track, she is a professional and always shows up. Last time, there was no pace at all and I think I was too close to the pace and that's why she didn't finish. Today the race set up really good for her. Carla brought her ready today because she was feeling really good in the post parade and she showed up in the race. When I asked her turning for home around the three-eighths, she picked it up really well and she switched leads. At the end we got the win.”
TRAINER CARLA GAINES, CLOSING REMARKS, WINNER:
On why she opted for the Goldikova and not the Breeders' Cup: “Basically the competition; she's been very effective at a mile before but basically the competition.
“Juan did give her a lot to do but the pace was horrid upfront, so he just worked it out perfectly, but that's Juan.
“Thank you, John (Harris) for everything you've done for my team and I want to thank your team too, it all works together.”
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