Thomas has numbers edge with trio of contenders in Goldikova

Miss Nightfall has the least American experience of the three fillies trainer Jonathan Thomas starts in Saturday’s Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita.

She may be his best chance for a win.

Miss Nightfall, owned by Chivalry Thoroughbreds, won once in 15 starts in Britain. She was second by a neck in the 24-runner Kensington Palace Handicap at a mile for fillies and mares at Royal Ascot in June. In her first start in the United States, Miss Nightfall closed from last of six to win an allowance race at a mile on turf at Saratoga on Sept. 7.

The $100,000 Goldikova Stakes, for fillies and mares at a mile on turf, is Miss Nightfall’s first start in a graded stakes.

:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, Picks and more. Shop Now.

“We’re trying to chase some black type,” Thomas said.

“She’s a nice filly to be around, a good mover. We took her up to Saratoga, thinking she could win a race.”

Thomas has two established fillies in the Goldikova returning from layoffs of more than 10 months. Ambaya and As Catch Can were first and ninth in the Grade 1 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita last December.

Ambaya earned a berth in the Goldikova by impressing Thomas with two five-furlong breezes on the synthetic main track at Turfway Park in recent weeks.

“Three weeks ago, it wasn’t even a thought,” Thomas said of starting Ambaya on Saturday. “Her last two works have been excellent, very good.”

Thomas emphasized that the Goldikova is a prep race for the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at a mile on turf for fillies and mares at Del Mar on Nov. 29 for Ambaya.

“We don’t have any expectations for her other than getting a good race under her belt and using it to take a step forward to the Matriarch,” Thomas said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she is right there. It doesn’t have to happen.”

As Catch Can has also delivered quick workouts at Turfway Park for her comeback. She has won 3 of 12 starts, with the highlight a victory at 16-1 in the Old Dominion Oaks at 1 1/8 miles at Colonial Downs in September 2025.

“She can be sneaky,” Thomas said. “I don’t know if she has the credentials of Ambaya, but she can show up.”

The Goldikova field includes the 2026 stakes winners Baltic Fire, May Day Ready, and Princesa Moche, as well as Bojaca Blessing and Mo’ Em Down, who have placed in stakes this year.

Baltic Fire won the restricted Osunitas Stakes at Del Mar in July, and was fourth in the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf in her last start on Sept. 7.

Trained by Jeff Mullins, Baltic Fire will be helped if a quick pace develops, and she can race behind rivals.

“She’s got to get to the rail, get tucked in, save ground, and make one move,” Mullins said. “It’s her running style. You sit on the outside or anything different and she has no chance.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.