Going Global's next challenge: Taking on older in Goldikova Stakes

Going Global, a five-time stakes winner and top 3-year-old filly in California this year, will face older fillies and mares for the first time in the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6.

Going Global won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Aug. 21 in her most recent start. She won four stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said over the weekend that the $300,000 Goldikova Stakes is a prep for Going Global for the Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

“We’re looking to run her two more times this year and give her a next break for next year,” D’Amato said.

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Going Global races for Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano. An Irish-bred filly, Going Global has won 6 of 10 starts and earned $468,792.

D’Amato is planning a busy opening week at the Santa Anita autumn meeting. The meet begins Oct. 1.

The stable plans to run the Del Mar maiden race winners Ain’t Easy and Desert Dawn and possibly the graded stakes winner Elm Drive in the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 1.

Elm Drive won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 6, but got caught in a speed duel and faded to seventh at seven furlongs in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 5.

“She came out of it in good shape,” D’Amato said. “I think she didn’t like the pace scenario where she was sandwiched in between. She didn’t like where she was and she stopped on us.

“Don’t give up on her. That wasn’t our plan in the race. I’m looking to draw a line through that last race.”

D’Amato said he’s also considering running Elm Drive in the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 8. The winners of the Chandelier and Alcibiades stakes earn fees-paid berths to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Nov. 5.

D’Amato said he is undecided on which horses he will run in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Oct. 2. Acclimate, Say the Word, and Red King are among his candidates.

Miss Bigly, the winner of the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 27, will be a longshot for D’Amato in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 2.

Helens Well, second by a head in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf on Sept. 6, is expected to start in the $200,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at a mile on turf on Oct. 3.

Dance to the Music, second by 11 1/4 lengths to Grace Adler in the Debutante, is an intended runner in the Chandelier Stakes, trainer Mark Glatt said on Sunday.

Glatt said the race scenario of the Debutante did not suit Dance to the Music, who raced near the front early.

“She got into way too hot of a pace scenario, especially for her second start,” Glatt said. “She finished best of the rest after running in a hot pace. We thought we had a good chance to win.”