Special Wan justified her 8-5 favoritism in the $303,000 Goldikova Stakes (G3T), kicking off Breeders' Cup Saturday with a dazzling 1 1/4-length victory Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
The Goldikova, Special Wan's third graded stakes win of the year, took the 5-year-old daughter of Belardo's earnings over the million-dollar mark.
Piloted by Joel Rosario, Special Wan tracked 77-1 shot Violeta M behind fractions of :22.82 and :46.29. Closing the gap on the pacesetter around the turn, the Brendan Walsh trainee struck the lead coming out of the bend and kicked strongly to the wire. Uncatchable down the lane, Special Wan ($5.20) completed the mile over a firm turf course in 1:34.26.
"She's a very special horse and she showed me that again today," Rosario said. "I knew Mike (Smith) and Violeta M were going fast on the lead, but my horse just relaxed and settled comfortably behind her ... I shook the reins at her just to keep her focused in the stretch and she finished well. She was the best horse in the race, that's for sure."
Breath Away closed to get second over locally trained Medoro.
Campaigned by Team Valor International and Steven Rocco, Special Wan had joined Walsh's barn in 2024 after beginning her career in Ireland. Earlier this year, she posted wins in the Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park and the Ladies Turf Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs.
Special Wan is slated to be offered at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale as Hip 155 from the Bluewater Sales consignment Nov. 3.
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