Ambaya Returns to Santa Anita in Goldikova Stakes

Ambaya, sidelined since winning last year's American Oaks (G1T) in December at Santa Anita Park, leads a trio of runners entered for trainer Jonathan Thomas in the $100,000 Goldikova Stakes (G3T) Oct. 31 at Santa Anita. Ambaya scored at odds of 12-1 when winning last year's 1 1/4-mile American Oaks by a half-length, and cuts back to a mile for Saturday's turf test for fillies and mares 3 and up. The 4-year-old filly by Ghostzapper, a homebred for George Strawbridge's Augustin Stables, enters with a record of 2-2-1 in six starts with $245,960 in earnings. She will have Emmanuel Esquivel in the irons. Thomas' other entrants are As Catch Can, who also hasn't started since the American Oaks when finishing ninth at 14-1; and Miss Nightfall (GB). English-bred Miss Nightfall made 15 starts in her native country before being imported this summer. In her first United States start, the 4-year-old filly by Sands of Mali (FR) won an allowance going 1 mile at Saratoga Race Course when rallying from off the pace Sept. 7. Miss Nightfall is owned by Chivalry Thoroughbred Racing and will be ridden by Jamie Spencer. Returning west from Florida for trainer Jose D'Angelo is Bojaca Blessing. A 4-year-old filly by Cairo Prince, Bojaca Blessing this summer made two starts at the Del Mar meeting. She won an allowance optional claiming race going 1 1/16 miles in July then came back to finish a solid third in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) going 1 1/8 miles. Bojaca Blessing is owned by P and G Stables and will have Hector Berrios aboard.