Going to Vegas, Luck give Baltas 1-2 finish in Rodeo Drive

ARCADIA, Calif. -- Going to Vegas is taking her entourage to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar next month.

The 4-year-old filly won her second consecutive graded stakes, and first Grade 1, in Saturday’s $302,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Going to Vegas earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6.

The win on Saturday was celebrated by a packed winner’s circle of the ownership groups of Medallion Racing, the MyRacehorse syndicate, and Abbondanza Racing. They crowded into the winner’s circle in such numbers that there was barely room for the filly.

Going to Vegas led throughout the Rodeo Drive, holding off a sustained threat in the final furlong from stablemate Luck. The result was a career-first for trainer Richard Baltas, his first sweep of an exacta in a Grade 1 race in his seventh win in a race at that level.

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Leaving the winner’s circle, Baltas was as impressed by the runner-up finish by 2-1 Luck as he was the win by Going to Vegas ($4.20).

“I was so proud of the other filly,” Baltas said. “She ran dynamite.”

“We knew we’d get the pace our way.”

Going to Vegas, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, led by at least a length through early fractions of 24.35 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.72 for a half-mile. Going to Vegas led by a length on the turn and in the stretch and was threatened by Luck, who closed steadily to miss by a head.

Going to Vegas was timed in 1:58.84, good for a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Vegas has a big heart and can do her thing,” Baltas said.

Luck had her graded stakes debut on Saturday in her sixth start and second in the United States. A two-time winner in France in 2020 and earlier this year, the 4-year-old Luck closed from sixth in a field of nine in the final mile of the Rodeo Drive. “She ran great,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “The winner had everything her own way. I was outside and had to make the first move on the backside. She ran huge.”

Dogtag (5-1) finished third, followed by Neige Blanche, Rideforthecause, Magic Attitude, Red Lark, Crystalle, and Fast Jet Court.

Going to Vegas, a 4-year-old filly by Goldencents, and Dogtag were first and second in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 4.

Going to Vegas has won 7 of 22 starts and earned $634,151. The Rodeo Drive was her third stakes win.