Goodnight Olive Looks to End Racing Career on High Note

One more time. 

That's all trainer Chad Brown is asking of Goodnight Olive , his 5-year-old trainee, who is seeking to repeat as winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park. She won last year's event by 2 1/2 lengths over Echo Zulu. 

"I just feel that she deserves a chance to repeat and we just focused on her," Brown said. "And I feel she's got a good shot, tricky post inside (post 1). But I'm just so proud of her that she was able to maintain her form and another year of racing, she's just so tough, so consistent, and I'd love to see her go out as a champion again."

The 2022 champion female sprinter will be making her final career start Saturday. No matter the outcome, the next chapter in her career comes at the Nov. 7 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. 

"It's going to be hard parting with her," Brown said. "She's just really a rare horse for a trainer to have and she's just been a wonderful, consistent, reliable horse and just such a sweet horse to be around, too. So kind, really one of the barn favorites and it's going to be hard to let her go Tuesday."

FIRST TIMER'S CLUB

Trainer O.J. Jauregui has started more than 2,500 horses in his career. But the Nov. 3 Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) will be his first at the Breeders' Cup. 

He admitted to having some nervousness but Jauregui is enjoying the moment.

"It's been nice. I grew up at this place. .... So it's even more nice. I'm glad I got an opportunity, a nice filly, and regardless of how she does, it's brought me here so I'm very excited."

The filly, Dreamfyre , has started her career 3-0-0 from three starts including two Grade 3s. Last time out, she edged Buttercream Babe  by a neck in the Surfer Girl Stakes (G3). With her breaking from post 13, Jauregui said Dreamfyre is going to need every bit of the speed his trainee has made a calling card early in her career.

And as much as everyone is looking forward to a rematch with Buttercream Babe on Friday, Jauregui said he's just as worried about the other 12 rivals on the turf. 

"When you have a bit of speed, you could maneuver a little quicker, go right in," he said. "You don't exactly have to be in the lead. But you can lay close. So if you got a little speed, you can put yourself in the right spot."

PRETTY, PRETTY GOOD

One of those rivals Jauregui is concerned about is the favorite—She Feels Pretty .

After breaking her maiden, she advanced to take the Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine displaying a marvelous turn of foot to remain undefeated in two starts. 

"There's a lot of unknowns because we had sprinted her and she found herself so far behind the field at the beginning of the race and came with that nice closing kick," said trainer Cherie DeVaux. "And when you're stretching a horse out from doing that, it doesn't always translate. You think they want to go longer, but sometimes it does translate into that. And, you know, she found herself in a better tactical spot in the Natalma."

She Feels Pretty is one of many reasons DeVaux has had a breakout season. She's nearly doubled her earnings from last year and has three Breeders' Cup runners including She Feels Pretty. Stage Raider  will take part in the Dirt Mile (G1) and More Than Looks  will start in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).

The success has not gone unnoticed, but DeVaux will wait until after the Breeders' Cup to reflect on what has been a banner 2023. 

"It's just hard to really absorb it when there's something else big that we're preparing for," she said. "It's been great and I'm so grateful, and I tell myself that every day just to appreciate that and I know after the Breeders' Cup and we get settled in and it's our quiet time about December, so hopefully we get some time to let it all sink in."

ON THE SCENE

Several notable celebrities were present at Santa Anita Thursday. Bregman Family Racing's Alex Bregman, who is better known as an All-Star third baseman for the Houston Astros; celebrity chef Curtis Stone; and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" host Carson Kressley.