Queen Goddess Fires Fresh in Frankel

Queen Goddess  fired fresh off the bench with a frontrunning 2 1/2-length victory Dec. 31 in the $102,500 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

Winner of an off-the-turf edition of the 2021 American Oaks (G1) at the end of last season, the 4-year-old Empire Maker filly was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in a field of 10 fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, for the 1 1/8-mile Frankel. She returned to winning ways after a runner-up finish to Neige Blanche  at 1 1/2 miles in the May 14 Santa Barbara Stakes (G3T), which she lost after taking the 1 1/4-mile Santa Ana Stakes (G3T) in March.

"She just likes to get out, and kind of do her thing," trainer Michael McCarthy said. "She's got a very high cruising speed, she's very kind to herself. I thought today when she turned up the backside and put a little daylight between them that she would run well."

Hall of Famer John Velazquez had the call for the first time aboard Queen Goddess, and the two got along perfectly after breaking well from post 9. Velazquez rationed out his mount's cruising speed through fractions of :24.39, :48.89, and 1:12.42 as Island of Love  and Closing Remarks  gave chase, with Quattroelle  tracking fifth behind Avenue de France . Queen Goddess had plenty more to give off the turn for home, and widened away though a 1:36.25 mile to finish in 1:48.35 on a turf course rated good. She returned $6 for a $2 win wager.

"Michael and I talked before the race, and it looked like there was only one other horse that could possibly be on the lead, so I decided to come out running to make sure she's on the lead, and then we can put her were she's comfortable," Velazquez said. "She was able to dictate the race by going to the lead the first time by the wire.  At that point, she was good. Going into the far turn, she switched to her left lead, and she just went. I said, 'Okay momma, let's go!'"

Closing Remarks held for second while Quattroelle put in a mild rally to finish third.

Bred in Kentucky by Tolo Thoroughbreds, Queen Goddess improved her record to 5-2-1 from 10 starts, with earnings of $470,580. She raced for her breeder first time out and then was campaigned by that entity with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners through eight starts before Gary Barber bought out Tolo.

Queen Goddess is the first foal out of the stakes-placed Lemon Drop Kid mare Royal Story  from the family of grade 1 winner Persistently . Royal Story's last reported foal is an unraced 2-year-old filly by Mendelssohn   named Consort Royal, who sold for the equivalent of $277,208 to Daithi Harvey/Highland Yard from Hotellerie's consignment to last year's Arqana August Yearling Sale.