Goldikova and Midday Prep for Breeders’ Cup Overseas

by Horstradamus

posted on August 2, 2011 in Breeders Cup, Horse Racing, News | No Comments >>

While racing fans in the US were enjoying a great weekend of racing with the Jim Dandy and Haskell Invitational, across the pond there were equally exciting races with major implications for the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships coming up in November at Churchill Downs.

On Sunday, August 1st Goldikova made an appearance in the Prix Rothschild (G1-FR). While she only won by a half length – don’t be fooled by the winning distance, Goldikova was in control the entire time. While this was Goldikova’s fourth consecutive victory in the Prix Rothschild, and few expected her to lose, this win set her on the right track to the Breeders’ Cup. While Goldikova is no stranger to the winner’s circle, her fans weren’t going into this race as confident as they usually are. She suffered a rare defeat in her last start against a highly regarded Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Up next for Goldikova is the Prix Jacques Le Marois before shipping off to Churchill Downs to defend her title in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and try for a fourth consecutive win in her division. The fact that Goldikva is running at all this year, with absolutely nothing to prove, is a testament to her trainer and former champion jockey Freddy Head. Lucky for her, Frankel, who is now considered to be one of the best horses in the world, doesn’t currently have any plans to show up in the US.

Check out the video of her win below. Though the audio is in French you can still make out a few of the horses names. Goldikova is #6 with rider Olivier Peslier in the white cap and blue silks with white sleeves.

Another big win for a Breeders’ Cup favorite came in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood for Midday. The overseas bookmakers currently have her pegged at 3/1 to win the Filly and Mare Turf. Midday is a Breeders’ Cup veteran having won the race when it was hosted at Santa Anita in 2009 and catching 2nd place at Churchill Downs last year.

Here is the replay of the Nassau. Midday won as the 6/4 favorite, looking great on the outside.