Stradivarius repeats in Goodwood Cup

Odds-on favorite Stradivarius wore down pace-setting Torcedor to win the Group 1 Goodwood Cup at Goodwood Racecourse in England. Stradivarius won the Goodwood Cup last year as a 3-year-old and on Tuesday scored his second straight long-distance win at the top level, having captured the Group 1 Gold Cup over 2 1/2 miles at Royal Ascot last month.

In the two-mile Goodwood Cup, Stradivarius, with Andrea Atzeni riding for trainer John Gosden and owner Bjorn Neilsen, emerged with 2 1/2 furlongs left to challenge Torcedor, who had controlled the pace from the front. Torcedor fought gamely when collared, but Stradivarious, who might prefer firmer going than he got Tuesday, wore him down to post a half-length decision and retain his position as Europe's top stayer. The France-based Vazirabad, who was second by a half-length in the Gold Cup at Ascot, did not run in the Goodwood Cup.

Call to Mind, the Queen of England's 4-year-old who won the Belmont Gold Cup in his most recent start, was pulled up with an injury during the stretch run. Overseas racing reports said Call To Mind walked into the horse ambulance after injuring his right front tendon during the race.

Stradivarius won the Gold Cup last year getting 15 pounds from his older rivals, but he now requires no such advantage. By Sea the Stars out of the Bering mare Private Life, Stradivarius has won all three of his starts this year - the Gold Cup, the Yorkshire Cup, and now the Goodwood Cup - and the colt is on target to earn a $1 million bonus should he capture the Lonsdale Cup at York next month.