Zindaya Scores in Goldikova

Zindaya capped what was quite a weekend for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Chad Brown, and Javier Castellano in the $200,000 Goldikova Stakes (gr. IIT) Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park.

Two days before New Money Honey gave the connections their first thrill with a score in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT).

"It's been a great weekend for us," said owner Bob Edwards. "It's been a great experience. This is my first time out here. It's been a pretty good year and winning this race makes a big difference."

A three-time stakes winner sprinting on the Belmont Park turf, the More Than Ready   mare came into the one-mile Goldikova winless in four starts at the distance, but found the wire first Sunday, a half-length ahead of longshots Tiz a Kiss and Hillhouse High. In between the two horses late in the race, Zindaya outkicked the pair to the wire.

"I had the perfect trip," Castellano said. "I was on the rail and looking for a seam. I tried to save all the ground I could."

Hillhouse High set a relatively slow pace on the quick Santa Anita turf course, clicking off fractions of :23.43, :47.47, and 1:11.85 through six furlongs and battled in the stretch on the inside, but just lost by a nose in a photo to Tiz a Kiss for second.

"I kept track of the pacesetter and tried to follow Hillhouse High and find the best scenario to go for," Castellano said. "We thought (Hillhouse High) was going to go and she did. It worked out great. When we swung out at the top of the lane, she gave me a powerful kick."

Zindaya hit the wire in 1:34.38 to secure her sixth win overall from 15 starts. Bred in Kentucky by Grapestock, out of the Kris S. mare Aristocratic Lady, Zindaya now has $561,240 in earnings.

The winner paid $4, $2.80, and $2.40 across the board. Tiz a Kiss brought $7.60 and $5, and Hillhouse High delivered $7.80 to show.

Majestic Heat finished an even fourth, followed by Prize Exhibit, Nancy From Nairobi, and Queen of The Sand, to complete the order of finish.