Going Global Nabs Second Goldikova

Whether Going Global  is going out a winner in the Oct. 29 Goldikova Stakes (G2T) will depend on who buys her at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's marquee breeding stock sale Nov. 6 in Lexington. But she leaves trainer Phil D'Amato's barn at the top of her game after nearly two years in his Southern California stable.

"She's done so much for myself and the barn and the partners," D'Amato said. "Whatever happens after this, one way or another she's going to have a happy life, either as a broodmare or potentially race next year."

Going Global put in a perfect performance in the Oct. 29 Goldikova at a mile on the turf for D'Amato and jockey Umberto Rispoli. Favored at 3-10 in the Santa Anita Park event, she sat in third behind the early pace of Burgoo Alley , another of D'Amato's good Irish-bred runners, and Karakatsie , a multiple stakes-placed runner in Florida. Going Global moved up in the most professional manner between rivals nearing the five-sixteenths pole, getting to the lead late in the second turn.

"Once I hit the turn to go home, I just pressed the button and she did the rest," Rispoli said.

England's Rose  closed from fifth to run a good second, but no one was going to catch Going Global, as she scored by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:33.85. Karakatsie finished third, followed by Burgoo Alley, Avenue de France , and Cover Version .

"She can go forever, and it's a good way to go out," added Rispoli. "It's always sad to see a horse like her go."

Avenue de France had defeated Going Global in their last outing, the 1 1/8-mile John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar. Going Global was blocked and had to steady that day, and she missed catching Avenue de France by just a half-length.

"Her last two drills have probably been some of her best drills to date—bullet works, but she's usually a little bit slower than that," D'Amato said. "She came out of her last race very sharp, so I just kind of played into that and just kept her on the sharp side, knowing we were going to run at a mile, and it paid off."

Going Global races for CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano. A winner once in four races in her native Ireland, she blossomed in California under D'Amato's care. In 13 starts for him, she won nine times, all in stakes, eight of them graded. This is her second consecutive victory in the Goldikova, which was run at Del Mar last year.

Nicky Hartery bred the 4-year-old daughter of Mehmas  from the Invasor  mare Wrood.

"She's just been a joy to train," D'Amato said, "and I'm happy to send her off, at least tentatively, as a winner in the Goldikova."

Video: Goldikova S. (G2T)