A menacing presence a quarter mile from home, trainer Simon Callaghan's Maxim Rate cruised to the lead from there and marched to an emphatic 2 1/2-length win in Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, the 4-year-old daughter of Exchange Rate got one mile on turf in 1:33.85.
Ridden to a pair of wins by Rispoli this past summer at Del Mar, Maxim Rate was most recently second in the G1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at a mile and one quarter on the Santa Anita turf Sept. 26 when ridden by Luis Saez. With Rispoli back aboard today, she was into the bridle while third, about 1 1/2 lengths off the lead coming to the quarter pole, wheeled three-wide turning for home and went on to win in a fashion that indicated she could've prevailed at any distance.
“I think she has no problem with the distance,” said Rispoli. “I think Simon knows what he is doing. We know that she can go further…and that's why I wasn't afraid to go a mile and three-wide. Everybody knows I like to save ground, but that was not the case (today). I knew that she could go further and she responded really well. When she took the lead, she kind of pulled herself up a little bit, but she's definitely improving and I think she still can improve.”
With pacesetter Raymundos Secret dominating the wagering, Maxim Rate, who had been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite, was a considerable overlay at 2-1 in a field of seven fillies and mares and paid $6.80, $4.00 and $2.40.
“She was always a very good filly, won her first time out and then she just plateaued a little bit as a 3-year-old, so we gave her some time off,” said Callaghan. “Thankfully the owners were really patient with her and that really helped her develop. I think she definitely is a better filly now, but I honestly think there's more scope for improvement. Obviously a very exciting filly for the future…
“I'm thinking the Matriarch (G1, one mile turf on Nov. 29) at Del Mar. That was actually our initial plan. After her last race I sat down with all the owners and that was the plan. She came out of her last race so well so I said, 'To be honest, we kinda need to run this filly because she is doing great.' Thankfully it worked out. It was a great win today.”
Owned by Nick Cosato's Slam Dunk Racing and James D. Branham, Maxim Rate, a G3 turf stakes winner at age 3, notched her second graded victory and her fifth win from 13 overall starts. Out of the Unbridled's Song mare Catch My Eye, Maxim Rate picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing her earnings to $402,185.
Next to last after the first half mile, Zee Drop rallied well to outfinish Tonahutu by one length under Mario Gutierrez. Off at 21-1, Zee Drop paid $14.20 and $6.00.
Irish-bred Tonahutu, who laid a close second to Raymundos Secret heading to the quarter pole and proved third-best, finishing a half length in front of “Raymundo.” Off at 6-1 with Abel Cedillo up, Tonahutu paid $4.60 to show.
In search of her third consecutive win under Flavien Prat, Raymundos Secret had no apparent excuses in a disappointing effort at even money.
Fractions on the race were 22.79, 46.20, 1:09.92 and 1:21.91.
Live racing will resume at Santa Anita with the track's traditional Winter/Spring opener on Saturday, Dec. 26. For more information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
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