Elektrum stays local for Goldikova Stakes
DEL MAR, Calif. – One day after much hoopla at Keeneland, the Breeders’ Cup theme continues Sunday at Del Mar. Well, sort of.
Elektrum entered the Breeders’ Cup but stayed home in California after landing on the also-eligible list for the Filly and Mare Turf. No trouble. Trainer John Sadler had a backup plan – Elektrum is likely to start favored Sunday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Goldikova at Del Mar.
Jockey Victor Espinoza, scheduled to ride American Pharoah on Saturday in the BC Classic, is named on Elektrum in the Goldikova, a one-mile turf race for fillies and mares named after the brilliant European filly who won the BC Mile three straight years, 2008-10.
Six entered the Goldikova, race 7 on an eight-race card. In addition to Elektrum, the field includes allowance winner Gender Agenda and graded stakes winners Stormy Lucy and Queen of The Sand. Two sprinters also entered – Living The Life and Uzziel.
While the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday was the highlight of the fall racing season, reality sets in Sunday. Del Mar filled just eight of the nine races scheduled; the average field size Sunday is only 7.1 runners.
The Goldikova is the local prep race for the Grade 1 Matriarch here Nov. 29.
KEY CONTENDERS
Elektrum (Last 3 Beyers: 92-92-92)
◗ Elektrum is returning to the course on which she scored the most important win of her career in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee on Aug. 8. Espinoza has ridden Elektrum only once before, in the Mabee.
◗ A 4-year-old filly sired by 2002 and 2003 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner High Chaparral, the Irish-bred Elektrum has won four races and $359,438 from 16 starts. Elektrum runs from off the pace. Her two U.S. races at the Goldikova’s one-mile distance were second-place finishes.
Gender Agenda (Last 3 Beyers: 87-88-86)
◗ Won a three-other-than optional claimer at Del Mar in her comeback Sept. 5 and then finished fourth in a non-graded stakes at Santa Anita.
◗ Her tactical speed should lead to a good trip, positioned behind the stretch-out sprinters and in front of the closers.
◗ Carla Gaines trains Gender Agenda, a 4-for-15 filly who will be ridden by Tyler Baze. Gender Agenda’s two previous starts in graded stakes were fourth- and sixth-place finishes last winter.
Stormy Lucy (Last 3 Beyers: 92-87-90)
◗ Throughout her 7-for-29 career, Stormy Lucy has been most effective at 1 1/8 miles and beyond.
◗ In her most recent start, Stormy Lucy finished third in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive, only a head behind Elektrum. Corey Nakatani rides Stormy Lucy for trainer Ed Moger. The 6-year-old mare has earned $587,700.
Queen of The Sand (Last 3 Beyers: 89-82-92)
◗ A 5-year-old mare with eight wins from 28 starts, Queen of The Sand finished sixth last out in the Rodeo Drive. She has two wins and two seconds in five starts on the Del Mar turf.