Filimbi Powers to Victory in Goldikova

 

Trained by Bill Mott and owned by her breeder, Juddmonte Farms, the 4-year-old grey filly by Mizzen Mast sat last at the rail, nine off the lead going into the far turn and unleashed and swung out leaving quarter pole.

 

“We didn’t really expect the race to unfold as it did,” said assistant trainer Rodolphe Brisset.  “We let Joel make the choice from the gate.  She didn’t break very well, and they were going pretty quick (22.67, 46.46, 1:10.25 and 1:22.26), so he decided to sit where he was, take a hold of her and make one run.  She’s a nice filly, she won pretty easy.”

 

The 8-5 favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares, Filimbi paid $5.20, $3.20 and $2.60.  The Goldikova marked her third win of the year and her sixth from 13 career starts.  With the winner’s share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $386,263.

 

“She broke well and I could see that everybody else was sending their horse, trying to get a position early, so I just let her stay happy where she was at,” said Rosario.  “I know she has a good finish so I waited and when I asked her, she was there for me.  She responded really well.”

 

Idle since running third in the Grade I First Lady Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 4, Filimbi is based with Mott in New York and will remain in training next year, according to Juddmonte Farms Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe.

 

Emotional Kitten was the original second-place finisher, but following a stewards’ inquiry was disqualified from second to fourth, while fourth-place finisher I’m Already Sexy was DQ’d from fourth to fifth, for bumping incidents in late stretch.

 

The revised first three finishers were Filimbi, Strathnaver and Wall of Sound.

 

Source: Santa Anita Communications