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Trainer nervous about Goldikova hat-trick bid

Trainer Freddy Head conceded on Thursday he was a little nervous about Goldikova’s bid for a third successive triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The brilliant French-based mare will break from the 10 post in the 11-horse field at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

“We haven’t got the best of draws, of course,” Head told Reuters outside the horse’s barn. “We would have liked it more inside. “But we’ll try and manage it. That’s where the jockey comes into play.”

The five-year-old bay did not mind the outside 11^th post a year ago when she rallied in the stretch at Santa Anita to win the $2 million affair by a half-a-length.

With 14 victories in 20 career starts and more than $5 million in prize money, the daughter of Anabaa out of Blushing Groom mare Born Gold is the early 6-5 favorite.

She will likely be challenged by last year’s Breeders’ Classic runner-up Gio Ponti, and Paco Boy, who finished second to Goldikova in France last month.

With Olivier Peslier in the irons, Goldikova is seeking to become the first horse to win three Breeders’ Cup races.

“I’m just a little bit nervous,” said Head, who as a jockey scored back-to-back victories aboard Miesque in the 1987 and 1988 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“This is something that I won’t have another time in my life. This looks too good to be true,” he added with a laugh.

Head said he did not mind losing some of the Breeders’ Cup spotlight to the Zenyatta, the unbeaten mare who will be trying for her second straight triumph in the $5 million Classic.

“In Europe, people talk about Goldikova, over here it’s Zenyatta,” he said. “I’m fine with that. It’s great for racing that the two mares are running on such a day like Saturday.”

Head said European horses “lose a little bit by travelling” to the United States but added Goldikova has not lost a step since her triumph a year ago.

“She’s put on weight since last year,” he said. “She’s stronger but she’s the same. She’s kept that willingness. She doesn’t seem tired of racing.”

He said the mare will retire after Saturday’s race but left the door open for a change of heart.

“For the moment, she’s retiring after this race,” he said. “But you never know. It’s up to her owners and they love racing. We’ll see.”