Governor Goteven seeks a second stakes win in Generous Portion

Unbeaten in two starts and already a stakes winner, Governor Goteven has had a bright summer in Southern California. There is a strong possibility Governor Goteven could leave the Del Mar summer meeting as a multiple stakes winner.

Trainer Lisa Bernard expects more success for Governor Goteven in Sunday’s $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar. Governor Goteven won the CTBA Stakes for statebred fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs by 3 1/2 lengths on Aug. 1 at Del Mar, drawing away in the final furlong.

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The Generous Portion is run at six furlongs, which Bernard says is a better fit for Governor Goteven than the 5 1/2 furlongs of the CTBA.

“This race sets up perfectly,” Bernard said Friday. “She needs to go longer.”

Governor Goteven’s two main rivals are Big Andy, who was second in the CTBA Stakes, and I’m So Anna, a maiden race winner July 2 at Los Alamitos who was withdrawn from the CTBA Stakes because of an illness.

Big Andy was the 6-5 favorite in the CTBA Stakes. She hit the gate at the start and closed from last in a field of five to finish a clear second. Trained by Blake Heap, Big Andy will be fitted with blinkers for the first time in the Generous Portion Stakes, her fourth start.

I’m So Anna was diagnosed with a virus on the morning of the CTBA Stakes. Trained by Steve Sherman, I’m So Anna is a threat from off the pace in the Generous Portion.

“She’s had a couple of works over the track,” Sherman said. “Hopefully, we can get a good trip.

“She’s a big filly and it takes her a little time to get going. She can kick it into gear really good. She’s not one dimensional. I kind of like her to have something to run at.”

The race drew a field of seven. Aside from I’m So Anna, four others will have their first start in a stakes – Do You Hear That, Emma’s Dance, Mucha Woman, and Will Take a Kiss. They each won a maiden race in their last start.

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Emma’s Dance, trained by Ed Moger Jr., won a maiden special weight race at five furlongs on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields on Aug. 1 at 13-1 in her debut. Emma’s Dance led throughout that win and is likely to be part of the pace Sunday along with Do You Hear That, who led throughout a maiden race against open company Aug. 16 at Golden Gate Fields. Trained by Quinn Howey, Do You Hear That makes a relatively quick turnaround for the Generous Portion.

Those runners could dictate jockey Tiago Pereira’s strategy aboard Governor Goteven, giving his filly an early target.

“I want her to get her legs under her and relax,” Bernard said.

Bernard, who trains Governor Goteven for Linda Templeton, said the filly has thrived through August.

“She’s a very consistent filly as far as her training,” Bernard said. “She’s starting to understand her job.”