Special Wan improves sales prospects with Goldikova triumph
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DEL MAR, Calif. - A collection of three wins in Grade 3 stakes this year, the latest in Saturday’s $303,000 Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar, will make Special Wan a fascinating prospect when she sells in the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in Kentucky on Monday.
After the Goldikova, trainer Brendan Walsh expressed the hope that the 5-year-old mare will not leave his stable, if a potential buyer keeps her in training.
“Hopefully, we have her again after the sale,” he said. “I’d love to have her again.”
Anyone would love to have Special Wan in their barn after her performance in the Goldikova, run at a mile on turf for fillies and mares.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, Special Wan tracked clear leader Violeta M to the top of the stretch and cruised to the front with minimal effort. Special Wan led by two lengths with a furlong remaining and won by 1 1/4 lengths.
“She’s been training out of her skin the last month or six weeks,” Walsh said as he left the winner’s circle.
Special Wan, a 5-year-old Irish-bred mare by Belardo, ran a mile on turf in 1:34.26 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 95. She paid $5.20 as the favorite.
Breath Away (11-1) closed from seventh to finish second, a neck in front of 5-2 Medoro.
Breath Away had a two-race winning streak in stakes end on Saturday. She won the Violet Stakes at Monmouth Park on Aug. 30, and the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine on Oct. 4.
In the Goldikova, Breath Away started from post 9 in a field of 11.
“She didn’t have a good draw,” jockey Flavien Prat said. “The pace was strong enough to make a move. She ran a good race.”
Crevalle d’Oro finished fourth, followed by Deep Satin, Public Assembly, Temptable, Nadette, Lady Claypoole, Liguria and Violeta M, who faded through the stretch.
Certitude and Sun Of Hill were scratched.
The Goldikova was Special Wan’s third win in her last four starts. Owned by the Team Valor International partnership and Steven Rocco, Special Wan won the Grade 3 Honey Fox Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March, finished third in the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Saratoga in June, and won the Grade 3, $1.31 million Ladies Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 30.
Special Wan was entered in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 4, but failed to draw into the race from the also-eligible list.
“We were gutted we didn’t get in the First Lady,” Walsh said.
Special Wan gave Walsh his first winner at Del Mar with his 18th starter, all in stakes. Walsh, 52, has been second in six stakes at Del Mar, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks with Lush Lips in August.
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