Goldikova makes history with third Breeders' Cup Mile

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville. KY (Sports Network) - Defending champ Goldikova, ridden by Olivier Peslier, rallied down the stretch to capture Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs and become a three-time winner of the race.

The five-year-old mare becomes the first horse to win three Breeders' Cup races and to win the same event three straight times. Zenyatta, by winning the Classic tonight, would join Goldikova with three Breeders' Cup victories.

Miesque (1987-88) and Lure (1992-93) were back-to-back winners of the Mile and Da Hoss won the race in 1996 and 1998. Tiznow won the Classic in 2000 and 2001.

The pace in the turf race was set by Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney's Candy. Goldikova was racing in the middle of the 11 horse field, about five-wide around the first turn.

Goldikova, the 6-5 favorite, began her rally entering the stretch and surged down the middle of the turf course. Also making a rally was 7-2 second choice Gio Ponti.

Peslier guided his mount to a two-length win over Gio Ponti with the The Usual Q. T. getting third and Paco Boy finishing fourth.

The time for the historic Mile was 1:35.16.

Trained by Freddie Head, Goldikova picks up $1,080,000 with the victory to bring her career earnings to more than $6.1 million. The mare has won 15 of 21 career starts with Peslier the only rider she has ever had.

Goldikova returned $4.60, $3.20 and $2.40. Gio Ponti paid $4.00 and $3.20, and The Usual Q. T. paid $6.60 to show.