Santa Anita: Going Global, Rhea Moon win for D’Amato

Back at her preferred distance, Phil D’Amato’s Going Global was nothing short of brilliant Saturday in her successful defense of the Grade 2, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita, winning by 1 1/2 lengths.

It was one of the three wins for D’Amato in stakes races on the card. Rhea Moon won for him in the Autumn Miss (G3), and Amy C scored in the listed Senator Ken Maddy.

In what figured to be her career finale, the diminutive, 4-year-old, Ireland-bred filly got one mile on turf in 1:33.85 under Umberto Rispoli.

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A restrained third, about 2 1/2 lengths off her pace-setting stablemate Burgoo Alley around the first turn, Going Global got on even terms with the early leader at the top of the lane and burst clear for her ninth career stakes win, eight of which have come in graded company.

Although second to Avenue de France, who was off the board Saturday, in the 1 1/8-mile John C. Mabee (G2) on the Del Mar turf Sept. 10, Going Global was bet down to 1-5 favoritism in a field of six fillies and mares and paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10.

Only 1-for-4 in Ireland, Going Global made her 13th stateside start for D’Amato and registered her sixth win from seven tries over the Santa Anita turf.

Ticketed for the Fasig-Tipton sale Nov. 6 in Kentucky, Going Global, who is owned by CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano, picked up $120,000 for the Goldikova win, increasing her earnings to $1,137,292 from an overall mark of 17: 10-2-1.

Next to last, about six lengths off the lead heading into the far turn, England’s Rose (11-1) rallied well through the lane under Victor Espinoza to finish 3 1/2 lengths better than long shot Karakatsie for second money. England’s Rose paid $4.60 and $3.60.

Close early, Karakatsie (24-1) touched Burgoo Alley for third by a neck with Joe Bravo up and paid $3.60 to show.

Fractions for the race were 23.69, 47.57, 1:10.80 and 1:22.26.

Cabo Spirit, Bravo rally to win Twilight Derby

As he’s done thousands of times throughout an incredible career, Joe Bravo again made the last run. On Saturday it was on Cabo Spirit, who surged in the shadow of the wire to collar favored Speaking Scout and win the $200,000 Twilight Derby (G2) by a half-length.

Trained by George Papaprodromou, the 3-year-old gelding by Pioneerof the Nile, got the 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:49.46.

With long shot Go Joe Won setting leisurely early fractions, Bravo saved ground while sixth, about three lengths off the lead a half-mile out. Into the bridle, Cabo Spirit bided his time behind a three-horse spread and then found a seam four deep, three-sixteenths of a mile from home, and was fully extended to get up in time.

Owned by Kretz Racing, Cabo Spirit was off at 5-2 in a field of eight and paid $7.40, $3.60 and $2.80. He has three stakes wins, all on turf. With the $120,000 winner’s share, he increased his earnings to $438,560 while running his overall mark to 15: 4-3-3.

Speaking Scout, who got a perfect stalking trip under Juan Hernandez, made the lead leaving the furlong marker and finished second best. Off as the 2-1 favorite, he paid $4.40 and $3.00.

Perfect Flight couldn’t go with the top two late and prevailed by a nose for third money over Go Joe Won. Off at 4-1 with Ramon Vazquez, Perfect Flight paid $3.60 to show.

The solid favorite at 2-1 with four minutes to post, War at Sea was a veterinary scratch.

Fractions for the race were 25.07, 49.89, 1:14.68 and 1:38.25.

Rhea Moon wins for D’Amato in Autumn Miss.

Ireland-bred Rhea Moon charged home for D’Amato to take the day’s 10th and final race, the $100,000 Autumn Miss (G3), by 1 1/4 lengths. With Hernandez collecting his second stakes win Saturday, Rhea Moon got one mile on turf in 1:34.44.

Unhurried in the run to the first turn, Rhea Moon sat seventh in a field of 11, about six lengths off long shot Lucky Girl as the field straightened for their run up the backside.

With Hernandez biding his time, Rhea Moon inched into contention mid-way around the far turn, swung five deep approaching the furlong pole and drew clear while unthreatened by an onrushing Nadette late.

A one-mile turf allowance winner on Aug. 21, Rhea Moon, who had two wins from five stateside starts with D’Amato, was off at 6-1 and paid $14.60, $6.60 and $4.60. Owned by Rockingham Ranch and Talla Racing, LLC, Rhea Moon, in getting her first stakes win, picked up $60,000, increasing her earnings to $191,831. Winless in a pair of starts in Ireland, she is 8: 3-3-2 overall.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, France-bred Nadette flew from far back to finish second by three-quarters of a length over D’Amato’s Kitty Kitana.  Off at 5-1, Nadette paid $8.80 and $6.00. England-bred Kitty Kitana, forwardly placed throughout, was off at 18-1 and paid $8.20 to show.

Fractions for the race were 23.36, 47.36, 1:11.17 and 1:22.97.