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By Dylan Jenear ValueChecker
Goldikova Bidding for Immortality in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile
03/11/10
As a jockey Freddie Head set a new record when partnering Miesque to back-to-back victories in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 1987 and ’88. On Saturday, he will be bidding to set a new record, this time as a trainer, when saddling Goldikova in this year’s renewal of the TVG-sponsored event.
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The daughter of Anabaa has already entered the racing hall of fame, having won no less than 11 Group 1s, but shortly after 8.40pm UK time on Saturday she could achieve true equine immortality by becoming the first horse to land the Mile for three years in a row.
Although the main point of focus for most racegoers at Churchill Downs will be Zenyatta, the darling of North America, as she bids for a second successive triumph in the Classic, and is going for 20-20 in her career overall, Goldikova will be the focal point for Europe. Indeed, the five-year-old’s CV reads 14 wins, three seconds and two thirds, with just one blemish on her 20-race career, and she has amassed in excess of $5million in prizemoney. Furthermore, Goldikova has beaten male rivals on seven occasions.
Currently a top-priced 2.25 for Saturday’s Grade 1 contest, it would appear that her draw – she’s one from the outside in trap 10 – is what could prove her undoing. However, she overcame stall 11 to prevail at Santa Anita last year, and she possesses the requisite early pace to gain a good early position, so her supporters shouldn’t be too downbeat about being drawn wide.
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Paco Boy has twice seen the rear-end of Freddie Head’s charge this year, finishing runner-up to her in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, and in the Prix de la Foret at Loncghamp early last month. Although beaten just a neck and half-a-length respectively in the races in question, on each occasion Goldikova appeared to win with a bit more in hand than the bare margin of victory, so the Richard Hannon-trained entire, who has been handed stall six, has work to do this weekend.
Gio Ponti is the clear pick of the home brigade. Runner-up in last season’s Classic, he warmed up for this with a cosy victory in a Grade 1 at Keeneland last month and will be a threat from stall 3. However, for those seeking a value each-way bet, I’m quite keen on Godolphin’s Delegator, who is appealing 21.0 with – and will probably be even bigger on the American Tote!
Delegator was 3½ lengths adrift of Goldikova when fifth in this race last season and, admittedly, hasn’t sparkled in his two outings during the current campaign. He really should have won the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket last time, but could finish only fourth to Red Jazz. Conversely, he comes into this race fresher than most, has a decent draw in stall 5, and both the drying ground and this sharp track will be in his favour. The race will be run to suit the Dansili colt, and if he produces the turn-of-foot he is capable of delivering, he’ll make the frame at least.
Recommendation: Delegator (each-way)
