Going Global wins first start against older rivals in Goldikova Stakes
DEL MAR, Calif. - Going Global is expanding her portfolio as the year progresses.
Already the dominant 3-year-old turf filly in California, Going Global won her debut against older fillies and mares in Saturday’s Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at a mile.
Ridden by regular rider Flavien Prat, Going Global ($7.60) closed from fifth to take the lead in the final sixteenth. Going Global won by 1 1/2 lengths without urging in the final strides from Prat, California’s leading rider.
“It was nice today,” Prat said.
Going Global was timed in 1:34.57 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99.
Going Global was the second choice in a field of eight behind Princess Grace, the 11-10 favorite who had lost once in her previous seven starts.
The Maryland-based Princess Grace, who won the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap here in August, set the pace in the $301,500 Goldikova, through early fractions of 23.22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.55 for a half-mile.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Princess Grace was challenged in the stretch by Zofelle, who took a temporary lead but could not hold off Going Global. Zofelle (5-1) held second, a half-length in front of Princess Grace.
“He didn’t want to be on the lead,” trainer Mike Stidham said of Desormeaux. “He broke and no one wanted it.
“I don’t think that’s the way she wants to run. I think she wants to sit just off of them.”
Going Global was fifth on the backstretch, racing briefly between rivals.
“She’s very tactical,” Prat said. “You can put her where you want, between horses even.”
Abscond finished fourth, followed by Bodhicitta, Constantia, Ippodamia’s Girl, and Glesga Gal. Warren’s Showtime was withdrawn in favor of a start in Sunday’s Betty Grable Stakes for statebred fillies and mares.
Going Global, an Irish-bred filly by Mehmas, has won 7 of 11 starts and earned $648,792. Going Global was beaten in her first three starts in Ireland last year before winning her final start there last November.
Going Global was purchased last winter by Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, Ray Pagano, and John Rochfort and is trained by Phil D’Amato. For their team, Going Global has won six stakes in seven starts and earned $640,000.