War Like Goddess Punches Through in Bewitch Stakes

Boxed in a bit entering the Keeneland stretch, War Like Goddess  willingly surged through a small gap between rivals to open her 5-year-old season with a victory in the $300,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) April 29.

The Bewitch, a 1 1/2-mile turf test for older fillies and mares, was the featured race on Friday's meet-closing card.

Sent off at 1-5 odds as the lone grade 1 winner in the field of five, War Like Goddess still faced some challenges as masterful front-end rider E. T. Baird doled out a leisurely pace by multiple stakes winner Breeze Rider , who led through a half-mile in :53.77, six furlongs in 1:19.88, and a mile in 1:44.64. As Baird delivered on his race strategy, Eclipse Award winner Joel Rosario wisely opted to keep late-running War Like Goddess closer than usual as she tracked from third—occasionally fighting restraint.

Turning for home, War Like Goddess was hemmed in for several strides by recent Orchid Stakes (G3T) winner Family Way . But War Like Goddess would still manage to display her typical late punch as she squeezed through the front-runner and Family Way, quickly opening up a clear advantage on her way to a 1 3/4-length victory. She was followed home by Family Way and Core Values .

The daughter of English Channel  completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:31.26 on firm turf. War Like Goddess made up 3 1/2 lengths in a final quarter run in :22.35.

Winning trainer Bill Mott acknowledged that the slow pace was a concern going into the race, the first for War Like Goddess since closing out 2021 with a third-place finish in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).

"It was a concern before the race and it was quite a concern once they got into the race," Mott said. "Joel wanted to keep her back and give her a target, which he did, but he had to float her teeth a little bit to do it."

While Friday provided some anxious moments, Mott was pleased to get out of the race with a win and believes War Like Goddess will be able to build off the strong finish.

"It was a very, very good effort," Mott said. "She's carrying good flesh right now. We gave her quite a bit of time off and she looks good right now."

Last season War Like Goddess won the Bewitch during a four-race win streak of graded stakes victories capped by a score in her grade 1 debut in the Flower Bowl Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. That season thrilled owner George Krikorian, who was pleased to see War Like Goddess open 2022 with a victory Friday.

"It's pretty special what she's done," Krikorian said. "Not a lot of horses can do that."

While Mott and Krikorian noted it's still early in the season, they acknowledged that it's good to know War Like Goddess like the Keeneland turf as the Lexington track will host this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships.

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. She also has a juvenile Bal a Bali   colt and unraced 3-year-old filly, Thecradlewillrock, by Red Rocks .