Closing Remarks winning the Goldikova with Juan Hernandez in the irons at Santa Anita Nov. 5. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—With a hot pace to run at, California-bred Closing Remarks rallied from far back to take Sunday’s Closing day co-feature at Santa Anita, the Grade II, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes, getting one mile on turf in 1:32.69. Trained by Carla Gaines and ridden by Juan Hernandez, the 5-year-old mare by Vronsky was up to win by a half-length over favored Queen Goddess.
As expected, Irish-bred Hamwood Flier went to the front out of the gate and enjoyed a two-length advantage over Queen Goddess around the Club House turn. Heading up the backside, Closing Remarks had one horse beat while about seven off the lead.
Heading to the far turn, Hernandez opted to sit chilly as Lucky Girl rallied from last to her outside but Closing Remarks would soon be into gear three-deep turning for home and rolled late to easily reel in the favorite well inside the sixteenth pole.
“This mare she tries all the time, she’s a really nice, honest mare. She knows what she is doing on the track, she is a professional and always shows up. Last time, there was no pace at all, and I think I was too close to the pace and that’s why she didn’t finish. Today the race set up really good for her,” said Hernandez.
“Carla brought her ready today because she was feeling really good in the post parade, and she showed up in the race. When I asked her turning for home around the three-eighths, she picked it up really well and she switched leads. At the end we got the win,” he added.
Owned and bred in California by Harris Farms, Inc., Closing Remarks, a three-time graded stakes winner who was most recently fourth going a mile and one quarter on turf in the Grade II Rodeo Drive here on Oct. 7, was off at 5-1 in a field of six fillies and mares three and up and paid $13.60, $4.20 and $2.60.
Carla Gaines, on why she opted for The Goldikova and not The Breeders’ Cup: “Basically the competition, she’s been very effective at a mile before but basically the competition.
“Juan did give her a lot to do but the pace was horrid upfront, so he just worked it out perfectly, but that’s Juan.
“Thank you, John (Harris) for everything you’ve done for my team, and I want to thank your team too, it all works together.”
Out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, Closing Remarks now has five overall stakes wins and is 7-5-4 from 24 career starts. With today’s winner’s share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $999,320.
Queen Goddess, idle since third in the Grade I Gamely Stakes here on May 29, overtook Hamwood Flier a furlong out but was no match for the winner late. Off at even money under Luis Saez, Queen Goddess returned $3.00 and $2.40.
Hamwood Flier, ridden by Flavien Prat, held off eastern shipped Full Count Felicia by a head and paid $3.40 to show while off at 4-1.
Santa Anita’s leading rider through 18 racing days, Hernandez notched his league-leading seventh stakes win and his 24th overall victory.
Fractions on the race were 22.67, 45.38, 1:08.38 and 1:20.42.
