Goldy Espony keeps rolling with La Prevoyante triumph

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Goldy Espony kept her record perfect at 1 1/2 miles, dictating all the pace en route to a 1 1/2-length victory over the 35-1 Maximova in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Handicap on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Goldy Espony, a 4-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Vespone, had captured four of her last five starts, including the Grade 3 Waya and Long Island handicaps at 12 furlongs on the turf. Trainer Chad Brown reunited jockey Javier Castellano with Goldy Espony, who immediately sped to the lead from her outside post in the field of 11 older fillies and mares. Goldy Espony got away with soft fractions on the front end, posting splits of 24.87 seconds, 50.35, and 1:16.84 for the opening six furlongs, then had plenty in reserve when challenged by both Maximova and Rosalind once settling into the stretch, maintaining a clear advantage under pressure to the wire.

Maximova sat a perfect ground-saving trip within easy striking distance of the leader, eased out for the drive, and out-finished Rosalind by a neck to be second.

Goldy Espony, who is owned by the partnership of Swift Thoroughbreds & Bradley Thoroughbreds, completed 12 furlongs in 2:29.51 over a firm course under the high weight of 121 pounds and paid $4.

“I was concerned a little bit the way they handicapped the race, the big field, and the outside post, but it worked out great,” said Castellano. “The filly put in a good effort leaving the gate. She dictated the pace and was very impressive. Not too many horses win consistently at a mile and one-half, and I have to give a lot of credit to trainer Chad Brown for that.”