Beholder makes the Distaff a no contest - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 02 Nov 2013
Beholder makes the Distaff a no contest
Europeans demonstrate grass superiority
By Tom Krish in Pasadena
The Europeans won three of the five Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita on Friday. The other two did not have European representation. Especially on grass, there was ample evidence that English and Irish horses have an advantage over their American counterparts.
Jockey Mike Smith won two races. Rafael Bejarano had a winner. Richard Hughes, the British champion, made one winner’s circle visit. In the Distaff, the 50 year-old Gary Stevens was successful with Beholder.
The Breeders’ Cup Marathon was won by London Bridge. Mike Smith had the English invader held up and made an incredible stretch charge to win by a length. The time for the 14-furlong (dirt) race was 2 58.32. London Bridge returned $20.80. London Bridge is by Arch out of Kindness by Indian Ridge. Jo Hughes trains London Bridge who is owned by Waratah Thoroughbreds.
My question at the post-race meeting related to how London Bridge, after six consecutive races on grass in the U K, was prepared for the dirt race at Santa Anita.
Then came the Juvenile Turf over a mile. It was Mike Smith again on the Godolphin-owned Outstrip. Coming from out of it, Outstrip, a grey colt, staged a sustained rally to catch Giovanni Boldini in the waning yards. Bobby’s Kitten, the rage at 12/10, set fractions of 22.1, 45.3, 1 09.2 and 1 21.2 and gave way in the final furlong. Giovanni Boldini, an Aidan O’Brien trainee with Ryan Moore, took a stalking position, challenged Bobby’s Kitten turning for home and forged ahead. The race had not been put to bed yet. Along came Outstrip in the Royal Blue silks of Sheikh Mohammed. The duel was brief and Outstrip raced clear to win by one half length. The time was 1 33.1. Outstrip paid $14.00.
Outstrip is by Exceed And Excel out of AsiSiempre by El Prado. In the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on October 12, Outstrip ran third to War Command, an Aidan O’Brien pupil.
Trainer Charlie Appleby took the trouble to explain he did not give up despite the Dewhurst disappointment. He said that Mike Smith was picked for the ride because M. Barzalona had a commitment in Japan.
I asked Simon Crisford, Godolphin’s Racing Manager, how strongly Outstrip’s BC win constitutes a boost to the Godolphin reputation given the travails this year. MrCrisford spoke at length about the productive year they have had and that the fans have come to trust Godolphin runners. It was a diplomatic answer.
Next was the Dirt Mile. “I want the lead at all costs. I will go as fast and as long as I can. Come and get me,” was the policy of Rafael Bejarano aboard Goldencents. The winner of the Santa Anita Derby on April 6, 2013, the Doug O’Neill-trained Goldencentswent to the half in 44.3, and the ¾ in 1 08.3. He did the mile in 1 35 though getting leg weary in the final part. A cushion had been built and the pursuers were more tired than the pursued. Goldencents paid $9.60.
A three year-old colt by Into Mischief out of Golden Works by Banker’s Gold, Goldencents exemplified the belief that there are horses for courses.
“There was pressure early. Once I got in the clear, I was able to relax. In the final turn, I knew I would last,” averred jockey Bejarano.
It was a brilliant Richard Hughes ride that helped Chriselliam deliver the goods in the Juvenile Fillies Turf Mile. A 28/1 winner in Newmarket’s Shadwell Fillies Mile on September 27 with jockey Hughes, it was the second Grade I success for the daughter of Iffraaj but as a 6/1 chance. Chriselliam’s dam is Danielli by Danehill.
The time was 1 33.72. The winning margin was two and one half lengths. Jockey Hughes chose to be in midpack, moved into contention in the final turn and outpaced them all when it mattered.
William Carson is one of the principal owners of Chriselliam. I mentioned that Carson is a Derby-winning jockey and an analyst with the BBC. I brought to the attention of the American audience that Richard Hughes was champion in the U K in 2012 and won the title again in 2013.
Richard stopped long enough to talk to me on his way out. He confirmed he will be in India for the big races. He stated that he will ride Mr.Dhunjibhoy-owned horses.
Beholder made the Distaff a ‘no contest.’ Gary Stevens had the sophomore filly in fourth position in the six-horse field. Beholder, winner of the Juvenile in 2012 in the hands of Garrett Gomez, was third with four furlongs to run. She disputed the lead with Authenticity thereafter. Hitting the front as they raced down the lane, Beholder ran away to win by four and one quarter lengths. The time was 1 47.77 for the nine-furlong race.
A 28/10 chance and the third favorite, Beholder, trained by Richard Mandella, was ridden by Gary Stevens who was winning a BC race after 13 years. Royal Delta prompted the pace and weakened in the last half mile. Princess Of Sylmar stumbled leaving and was more out of it than in it. Close Hatches took the runner-up berth in the two million-dollar race. Beholder is by Henny Hughes out of Leslie’s Lady out of Tricky Creek.
I had a chat with Olivier Peslier. He told me he will be in India in December and may be, two more times to ride in big races. He was excited at the prospect. He could not get the name of the owner or the trainer he will be riding for. I am expecting an email from Peslier and I will pass on the information. Peslier is not as familiar with Indian (racing) names as Hughes is.
You can catch the entire post race conference on Youtube…2013 BC post race press conferences.
