Raqiya. (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press
DEL MAR, Calif.—Irish-bred Raqiya, making her American debut, scored a wire-to-wire victory in the $302,500 Goldikova Stakes under jockey Lanfranco Dettori on the second and final day of the Breeders’ Cup Championships at Del Mar.
The 3-year-old daughter of Blue Point, owned by Shadwell Stable and trained by Owen Burrows, ran the mile on the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 1:36.09 and returned $12.20 after defeating runner-up Uncorked, a 30-1 longshot, by a length and a half.
Third in the field of 10 older fillies and mares was 2-1 favored Sacred Wish with Mouffy fourth.
“I just said to Frankie (Dettori) if she jumps well, go for it. I just basically left it to Frankie. I was very comfortable in that she would stay so I wasn’t too bothered by the stepping up to a mile.
“Obviously, we were very concerned with the draw but look, he gave her a great ride on the front, didn’t he? He dictated from the front, quicken up on the bend and it worked out well,” Burrows remarked.
The win, Raqiya’s fifth in eight career outings, was worth a first prize of $180,000 and increased her earnings to $319,581.
Fractions: :23.04, :48.38, 1:13.41, 1;24.93 and 1:36.09
Horse ran right in the line. I thought nobody’s going to pass me. I was able to slow down and then the rest is over,” said Dettori.
The stakes score was a first at Del Mar for both her rider and her trainer.
