War Like Goddess will run with the boys in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - War Like Goddess will take on males earlier than expected as trainer Bill Mott plans to run the top older turf mare in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Saturday at Aqueduct.
The Joe Hirsch is run at 1 1/2 miles, the same distance as the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 5 at Keeneland and a distance at which War Like Goddess is undefeated (4 for 4). Mott is pointing War Like Goddess to the Turf as opposed to the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf because the distance of that race is 1 3/16 miles since the Breeders’ Cup is being run at Keeneland.
War Like Goddess, a 5-year-old daughter of English Channel, has won 8 of 11 career starts. She is 2 for 3 this year with a win in the Grade 3 Bewitch at Keeneland and Grade 2 Glens Falls at Saratoga. War Like Goddess was beaten a neck by Virginia Joy in the Grade 2 Flower Bowl, a race in which Virginia Joy got away with a pedestrian pace while War Like Goddess was boxed in under Joel Rosario, before getting out too late.
Mott had the options of running in Sunday’s Waya at Aqueduct or the $750,000 E.P. Taylor next Saturday at Woodbine or training up to the Breeders’ Cup, but preferred to keep War Like Goddess at 12 furlongs.
“She’s only been out three times this year,” Mott said. “I don’t know that she can’t run here and still run back a month later. I think you got to take it one race at a time. It’s always nice to look at the end, but by the same token I’m not so sure you should be passing a good spot up just waiting for one race.”
Mott, as of Sunday, was still in search of a rider for War Like Goddess as Joel Rosario will be at Keeneland on Saturday.
Among those under consideration for the Joe Hirsch are Adhamo, Astronaut, Gufo, Highland Chief, Rockemperor, Soldier Rising and Street Ready.
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