War Like Goddess Reigns in Bewitch Stakes
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Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
War Like Goddess draws away to win the Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland
As consistently good as War Like Goddess has been in her first two seasons of racing, when stretched out to 1 1/2 miles in the $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) April 23 at Keeneland, the 4-year-old daughter of English Channel delivered her most spectacular performance to date.
After cruising through the early stages of the distance test while saving ground under Julien Leparoux, George Krikorian's War Like Goddess delivered a stretch kick that no rival could match, effectively ending any suspense in mid-stretch of the race for fillies and mares that drew 11 starters. She completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.21 on good turf.
With the 3 3/4-length win Friday, War Like Goddess secured her fourth win in five starts, including a narrow victory in the 1 3/8-mile Orchid Stakes (G3T) last month. Winning trainer Bill Mott, who also sent out runner-up Delta's Kingdom , said after some immaturity at 2 that delayed her career start, the daughter of English Channel has been all business.
"I mean she's really developed nicely," said Hall of Fame conditioner Mott. "She's come around; it took a while but it was worth the wait."
After not racing as a juvenile, War Like Goddess won her maiden debut and an allowance race last September and October on the turf at Churchill Downs. She opened this season with a fifth-place finish in The Very One Stakes (G3T) in February on the Gulfstream Park turf before returning to that course to win the Orchid, rallying from eighth in that race to edge favored Always Shopping by a nose.
"That is her natural way of running (from off the pace). She has developed very nicely," Mott said. "As a 2-year-old, she was kind of a spindly little girl but she has filled out, gotten stronger, and is very professional. She loves (this) distance and she loves the course. Today was her day."
The winning connections of War Like Goddess in the trophy presentation after the Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland
On Friday War Like Goddess rated in ninth early as Three Flamingos led through a half-mile in :49.73, a mile in 1:41.73, and 1 1/4 miles in 2:06.47. At the quarter pole War Like Goddess was still sixth, but she had shifted into top gear, smoothly tipping off the rail and swinging five wide for clear running. She would blow past her rivals at the furlong pole.
"I wanted to make sure I kept my position (early in the race)," Leparoux said. "She was traveling very good for me. I felt like I was a winner the whole way around. When I asked her, she kicked on very nicely."
Mott also was proud of Delta's Kingdom, who finished second when she held off third-place Pass the Plate by a neck.
War Like Goddess wins the Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland
"She ran really super," Mott said. "She is a filly that has been stakes-placed multiple times, nearly every time we've run her in a stakes. Distance is important for her. You hate to run against yourself, but there's only so many of these types of races around."
As a weanling, War Like Goddess sold for just $1,200 at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale where she was purchased by Falcon L & L Stables / Lawrence Hobson from the consignment of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services. At 2 she sold for $30,000 to H N D Bloodstock at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sales June Sale of 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale. She was consigned by Hemingway Racing & Training Stables, agent.
Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, War Like Goddess is out of the winning North Light mare Misty North, who has produced two winners from three starters.