Nevada Beach aims to become the first horse to win the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes in consecutive years since Game on Dude accomplished the feat in 2011-12. He will face eight other contenders on Saturday at Santa Anita Park over a distance of 1 1/8 miles. This race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, granting the $300,000 Goodwood winner a guaranteed, fees-paid spot in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic this fall at Keeneland Race Course.
Nevada Beach has not raced in seven and a half months. His last run was on February 14 in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh, where he finished 12th after a poor start and was never a factor. Last year, Nevada Beach pulled off an 8-1 upset in the Goodwood, winning by 1 ½ lengths with Mike Smith aboard. This year, Juan Hernandez will be the jockey riding Nevada Beach.
The 4-year-old colt, sired by Omaha Beach, is trained by Bob Baffert—the same trainer who guided Game on Dude to his back-to-back Goodwood victories. Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Nevada Beach has a record of eight starts with four wins and two second-place finishes, earning $466,500.
From the East Coast, Forged Steel returns to Santa Anita after earning his biggest victory in May by winning the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles. However, he was off the board in two following races: the Grade 2 Suburban at Saratoga in July and the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August. Forged Steel, a 4-year-old by Vekoma, is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for C2 Racing Stable, Mathis Stable, and TCC Stables. His record stands at 20 starts with five wins, three seconds, and three thirds, bringing in $436,630. Edwin Gonzalez will be the jockey.
Original Sin is making his second Grade 1 start in six weeks, returning to California for this challenge. He recently finished second in the Pacific Classic behind Knightsbridge. This 4-year-old Curlin colt’s sole stakes win was in the Grade 3 Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs in May over 1 1/8 miles. Owned and bred by Calumet Farm, Original Sin has 10 starts with four wins, one second, and two thirds, earning $590,235. Kazushi Kimura will ride him for the first time.
The Goodwood is one of five stakes races happening at Santa Anita on Saturday. The other races include the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile—an automatic qualifier for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile—as well as the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship, Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes, and Grade 3 John C. Harris Stakes.
Here is the lineup for the Grade 1 Goodwood, including jockeys and weights by post position, with an approximate post time of 4:30 p.m. PT:
- Taif — Emisael Jaramillo — 122 lbs
- Vodka Vodka — Kent Desormeaux — 122 lbs
- McAfee — Hector Berrios — 122 lbs
- Original Sin — Kazushi Kimura — 124 lbs
- Midnight Mammoth — Tyler Baze — 122 lbs
- Mr. A.P. — Joel Rosario — 118 lbs
- Forged Steel — Edwin Gonzalez — 122 lbs
- Caldera — Paco Lopez — 122 lbs
- Nevada Beach — Juan Hernandez — 124 lbs
The first post on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.
Fan Take: This race carries significant weight for horse racing fans as Nevada Beach’s attempt to defend his title underscores the sport’s rare moments of consistent excellence. A strong performance here not only boosts his legacy but also ramps up excitement leading into the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic, shining a spotlight on California racing.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
