Toinette tops Drysdale-trained exacta in Goldikova Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Toinette was a two-time Grade 3 winner at 3 in 2018 at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs and won the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes for the most prestigious win of her career at Santa Anita on Sunday. The next objective is the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 30.

Toinette ($2.80) won the $200,351 Goldikova Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths over 6-1 Simply Breathless, giving trainer Neil Drysdale a sweep of the exacta. Richmond Avenue, an Irish-bred filly trained in France by Andre Fabre, finished third in her American debut as an 11-1 chance.

Toinette was ridden by Flavien Prat, who guided the 4-year-old filly into contention on the turn after stalking the pace for the first six furlongs. Toinette quickly took control of the race and finished a mile on turf in 1:33.38.

“He kept her in the open,” Drysdale said. “He gave her a great ride. That’s the way the course is playing. It’s tough to come from off of it.”

Toinette earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99.

Streak of Luck finished fourth, followed by Don’t Blame Judy and Coach Rocks. Ms Bad Behavior was scratched on Sunday morning. She is scheduled to be offered at auction in Kentucky this week.

Toinette races for Joseph and Lynne Hudson and Ken Baca. A 4-year-old filly by Scat Daddy, Toinette has won 7 of 10 starts and earned $488,720. This year, Toinette has won 3 of 4 starts.

She was third in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 31 in her stakes debut this year and won the restricted Swingtime Stakes at a mile on turf here on Oct. 5 as a prep for the Goldikova. Toinette opened her 2019 season with a win in an allowance race with a $100,000 claiming option at Del Mar on Aug. 7.