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Overanalyze, breezing for Belmont Stakes 2013, went 4f in :47.50 (3/34) at Belmont (dirt training) on 5-19.Posted 20 hours ago
2013 Belmont Stakes hopeful Palace Malice breezed 4f in :47.49 (2/34) at Belmont Park (dirt training) on 5-19. Posted 20 hours ago
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Rio De La Plata
against other champions!

Rio De La Plata

8 year old Horse
Retired
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Owner(s):

Godolphin

Trainer:

Saeed bin Suroor

Bred:

Kentucky (USA) by Jose de Camargo - Robert N. Clay - [Add Data]

Pedigree:

Rahy - Express Way by Ahmad

Rating:

7.23/10

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What the Nation is saying about Rio De La Plata...

Royal Ascot--Racing As It Was Meant to Be

The best racing in the world will take place over the next 5 days...at Royal Ascot.Read More

Show All 3 Comments
BrianZipse · Canford and Goldi went at it big time ... what a race! · 706 days ago ·

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xMystix · Goldikova and Canford Cliffs going at it...spectacular! And there are more days to follow for this meet! I hope both come over and participate in the Breeders Cup Mile :). · 706 days ago ·

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CsabaOlah · Think you OVERDOSE · 387 days ago ·

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Goldikova chases 15th Group 1 win in Marois

Wonder-mare Goldikova pursues the 15th Group/Grade 1 of her incredible career Monday in the Jacques le Marois.Read More

Show All 30 Comments
zatt · She can tie John Henry ... Go Goldikova! · 647 days ago ·

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tiznow · Goldikova is without question the greatest miler in history. a war horse, an iron horse...always shows up. I don't care if she's labeled a miler, she's one of the top horses of all time male or female. Gol Di Ko Va...Gol Di Ko Va!!! · 647 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · @tiznow - I'm glad to hear someone agrees with me. She is the best...I can't imagine how many will compare with her if she manages to win the Mile again. Go Goldikova! · 647 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · I also Agree she is one of a kind . An amazing horse! · 647 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · I forgot to mention Prix Rothschild runner up Sahpresa is also running, as well as Immortal Verse. Very strong field. · 647 days ago ·

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Zenyatta-Perfection Personified · I can't wait! She is the class of the world's horses right now. And I love how her connections always challenge her and don't duck anyone. · 647 days ago ·

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annmatt · She's like the Energizer bunny....she just keeps on running! She is totally amazing. Just wish those French races had English voice-overs! · 646 days ago ·

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fonnerparkfilly · Win, lose or tie Monday, Goldikova is in a class by herself. Even as great as Zarkava seemed to be, comparing a horse like Goldi to a horse who ran a total of 7 times is utterly ridiculous. In horse racing longevity and stamina determine greatness. 7 races doesn't make a great champion. Losing doesn't prevent a champion from being great. You are great Goldikova, kick ass on Monday. · 645 days ago ·

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footlick · fonnerparkfilly- and running 7 times does not disqualify a horse from greatness either. Have you ever watched Zarkava's races? Do you realize she was a two year old champion, a three year old champion and a Cartier HOY? You are really going to say she was not a champion nor was she great? Soumillon never uncocked his whip in any of her races, not even the Arc where she rallied from 17th after a rough race being stuck on the rail most of the way. She broke from the #1 post. Research and find out how long it had been that a horse won from that post. She totally dominated Goldikova and every other horse she ran against. The number of starts a horse has made does not make them great. The horse itself makes him or herself great. If you cannot see how great Zarkava was then I feel sorry for you. Goldikova couldn't even warm her up. It took Goldikova two more full years of racing to reach Zarkava's timeform rating. Zarkava easily beat Goldikova at Goldikova's distance in the Puoliches. Where does it say a horse has to make a certain amount of starts before it is considered great? Has Goldikova ever run in a race with the collective strength of competition of the Arc? Zarkava was great and a true champion. Too bad you can't appreciate her. Maybe dubby30 would like to add more? Love Goldikova all you want, she is a great horse. But don't try to tear down a true champion to do it because of the amount of races won. That is ridiculous. · 645 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · Great post Footlick and I totally agree. Zarkava was on a different plane IMO when comparing the two. Other greats haven’t had lengthily careers. Sea-Bird the No. 1 Time Form rating all time at 145 raced 8 times with 7 wins. Tudor Minstrel, tied for 2nd on the Time Form rating with 144 raced 10 times with 8 wins, and Dancing brave tied for 8th on the time Form rating all time with a 140 raced 10 times with 8 wins. Goldikova never raced against competition as deep in talent as these horses competed against nor at the distances either. · 645 days ago ·

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footlick · Thanks Laz. It just amazes me that Zarkava can be so summarily dismissed because she ran 7 times. Absurd. Thanks for posting the info onthe other "sparingly" raced horses. I'm sure someone will comment and refute their greatness also because of the amount of starts they had. · 645 days ago ·

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fonnerparkfilly · WHY is longevity and stamina markers when determining greatness in a thoroughbred? I'll tell you why. Even the fastest, most talented horses who are seemingly "invincible" can only truely be tested by father time. First of all, "greatness" has many faces. Not all great thoroughbreds are created equal. Good horses can run great unforgetable races and great ones can lose races without losing heart. Zarkava was no doubt a great horse during her time on the track. How long she could've continued to shine, we'll never know. Some horses have had phenominal periods in their careers only to come up short later. Rachel Alexander 2009 for an example. Thoroughbreds get tired, body sore, and burned out. To overcome these things is a test of a true champion. For a champion who retires after only 7 races, it's not even an issue. I see stamina and physical endurance as being markers for greatness also. Ruffian was great, but she was a "paper doll". She broke down and left her life on the track as many other have. The fact that Goldikova is still in one piece is unmeasurable in value. How long would Zarkava have run without succumbing to physical problems? We'll never know, a champion who graced the track 7 times with her presence leaves too many unanswered questions. We know what Goldikova is made of, she's not a mystery, she's a marvel. · 644 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · fonnerparkfilly: While I don't necessarily agree with your last post I admire the fact that you not only made a case for your prior thread but were passionate about it while remaining civil, something I have to work on. Have a nice day · 644 days ago ·

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footlick · fonnerparkfilly- first, calling Ruffian a "paper doll" is sad. If you have ever read about her you would know she was a tough filly. Her leg snapped because she hit her shoulder on the starting gate at the beginning of the match race. It torqued her leg, which when put to extreme physical pressure snapped. Second, I am not going to go back and forth about Zarkava. You go head and believe Zarkava was only a mystery. I will remember that Goldikova was not in her league. You believe what you want about Zarkava and the other greats who have not run as much as Goldikova. I'm glad you are so passionate about her. Have a great time posting. · 644 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · footlick : That is really interesting as I always accepted the explanation she was soft boned and it would have happened eventually. · 644 days ago ·

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footlick · I'm only going by what her trainer was quoted as saying after they found out that she suffered a hairline fracture in the Spinaway. She was high spirited and considered more colt-like than feminine, if I remember correctly. But I could be remembering wrong, I guess. She won the Spinaway in 1:08 that day I believe, just to bring an example of her speed. I think she was hard-running as most speed horses are. As fast as she ran, if she was soft-boned, I doubt she would have survived racing as long as she did. Then it is generally accepted that the injury that eventually snapped her leg happened because of the starting gate incident. · 644 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · based on what your saying and your memory which I trust more than "google" as things get twisted I'll have to re-evaluate this filly. your right though she ran 1st quarters in the 21:. change category so as you say it should have happened then. ty · 644 days ago ·

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footlick · I knew she came out of the Spinaway with a hairline fracture, but had to look up the time. I also read that she popped a splint in the race with Hot N Nasty, was it the Sorority??? Maybe that was why the race was closer than her others. · 644 days ago ·

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fonnerparkfilly · I used the term "paper doll" in reference to Ruffian, but meant no disrespect, perhaps a poor choice of words. She was great, and no doubt tough, but nevertheless succumbed to injury. Do you realize how many good horses and potentially great ones meet their demise by way of injuries? The list is a long one, I assure you. That fact only makes thoroughbreds like Goldi all the more special. The only point I was trying to get across was that time is a marker in determining how great a horse really is. That's not intended to take anything away from champions like Zarkava. I'm just saying, don't underestimate how much father time can wear down a horse and be a game changer. · 644 days ago ·

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footlick · I don't underestimate it at all. But I also realize that a horse can be greater even with only 7 starts. Time is one of many things to evaluate, but it cannot be the trump. Many Euros were sad that the Aga Khan retired Zarkava because they believed she would have become the highest weighted filly/mare of all time. But it didn't happen and they weren't surprised as he liokes to get his bloodstock inthe breeding shed as soon as possible. He breeds his own thoroughbreds and usually retires his Arc winners. But, the Euros have not reduced her greatness because of it. They love Goldikova's durability and longevity, but they knew they were watching something extremely special with Zarkava. All I am saying is that you cannot pemnalize a horse for runnoing only 7 races. It does not take away the greatness of the animal. On the paper doll comment, I assumed that you did not mean disrespect. I should not have commented on it and I apologize for that. I should have just let that go. · 644 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · I don’t really know what farther time has to do with greatness. The ability to rise to the occasion in dominating fashion is what does it for me. Jean Cruguet who rode the great Seattle Slew through his Triple Crown victories, the same Seattle Slew who is in everyone’s top ten of the greatest N/A race horses all time, said that the best horse he ever rode was Hoist the Flag, a brilliant 2 year old that broke down just before his TC quest, and Hoist the Flag only ran 6 times, winning all six but being DQ’d from an easy victory in the Champagne………When Zarkava totally dominated Goldikova in the French 1000 Guineas and again in the French Oaks, they were both fillies 4th and 5th lifetime starts. She won those races with consummate ease, as easy as she won every other race in her brilliant, one for the ages, career. In her sixth race, the Prix Vermeille, she was left at the gate and was at least ten lengths behind the next horse before starting her run. She won the 12F race easy by 2 lengths in 2.26, tying the stakes record. In the Arc she once again trailed before making her run and winning by 2 lengths, the first filly to win the race in 15 years, and this against a very tough field. Her owner, the Aga Khan whose family was steeped in race tradition and who owned many of the world’s best race horses including Sinndar, Dalakhani, Daylami, Shahrastani, Blushing Groom and, Shergar, and whose family has won dozens of English and European Classic races, stated that Zarkava represented the pinnacle in his family’s 90 year in horse racing……….As for Ruffian, her record and her reputation and the esteem with which many old-timers hold her says it all. Her injury wasn’t a normal breakdown as she hit the gate, which started a sort of chain reaction that lead to her demise. Her total dominance, fast and powerful stride and her rare cruising abilities are what set her apart from most of the top fillies/mares. · 643 days ago ·

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footlick · Laz- nice post. I guess I am just amazed at how people just summarily dismiss Zarkava. Also, another horse in the Hoist the Flag category, imo, was Graustark. · 643 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · Hey Footlick……..I really enjoyed the way you tried to explain just how great Zarkava was. I still have a hard time accepting her Time Form Rating of 133, especially when All Along is rated at 135 along with Dahlia, Black Cavier and Peebles, all of whom are great, but are and were they better than Zarkava. People rave about Rachel Alexandra winning a G1 route race against older G1 males at three. What Zarkava did was significantly more difficult……a three year old filly defeating salty Group One males three and up in the Arc at 1 5/8 miles. This seems to be lost on many fans and like you, I don’t understand why. That’s horse racing I guess………………Graustark was another great one that unfortunately didn’t race long enough to move way up in that top 15 or 20 list where he certainly belongs. Wasn’t it you that said that his jockey Braulio Baeza, also the regular jockey of Buckpasser, considered Graustark the best horse he had ever ridden? · 643 days ago ·

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footlick · Laz- you would really need to research the ratings that those females had at 3 to make a valid comparison. Remember it took Goldikova two more years of racing before she achieved the same timeform rating. I feel it could have been stronger, but they have to weigh it in context of the other horses in the race and the weight that she carried also. Her raw rating was 127, I believe, and then they upped it because of her trip and the ease that she won. As far as Baeza, he said did say Graustark was the best horse he ever rode. But I thought you mentioned it first to me???? · 643 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Graustark 3yo 1966-His Majesty 3yo 1971 who were full brothers would have face Buckpasser and Hoist The Flag respectively. Only Buckpasser and His Majesty remained sound (somewhat). Except for injuries anyone of these four were potential triple crown winners · 643 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · The reason I mention Graustark and His Majesty was as they were both sons of the great Ribot. Sorry for the omission. · 643 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · Footlick……….I was thinking the same myself about Zarkava that if she had raced longer, especially at four, that she would probably have gained a higher Time Form number…….I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Pebbles. I remember her BC Turf win in 1985, a tremendous run from the back of the pack and getting the 12F in 2.27 while smashing Aqueduct’s track record for the distance. Along with Miss Alleged, they are the only two fillies to win this race. That year Pebbles defeated males four times in stakes, three of them in Group One/G1, including defeating the Arc winner Rainbow Quest…….I was lucky enough to see All Along and Dahlia is person. Both had devastating runs from well back and tremendous bursts of speed. All Along defeated males five times in her career and in a span from Oct 2-83 to Nov 12-83 she won the 12F Arc in France, the 13F Rothman’s (Canadian) International in Canada, the 12F Turf Classic at Aqueduct and the 12F DC International at Laurel, four of the toughest races in the world in a six week span with the last three on tiring yielding tracks, and she won them by an average of just under 4 lengths……Dahlia defeated males eleven times including nine in Group One-G1 stakes. She was voted No. 50 on the Bloodhorse top 100, which puts her at fifth best filly-mare and the highest filly-mare rating on grass. · 643 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · 7 races really isnt a long enough career to proclaim her so fantastic. Who knows she may have been like R.A take time off and struggle the following year? · 643 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · In this age of racing it's hard to compare careers that are so drastically different from each other. Goldikova excells at 1 mile and Zarkava loved a "route" race. Longervity shouldn't determine greatness, it should only help define it if it's already in the horse. Zarkava was great and didn't need a long career to prove it, if she had continued racing who knows how great she could have been, but her stats are incredible as they stand now. Goldikova is great and has proven that many times over the course of five years worth of racing. · 643 days ago ·

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footlick · KyOaksRunner- Zarkava excelled at any distance she ran as evidence by her stakes record she set in the Pouliches at 1 mile. But thank you for recognizing her greatness. · 643 days ago ·

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'Clash of the Titans' Set for Glorious Goodwood

Superstar milers Frankel and Canford Cliffs are set to clash in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday.Read More

Show All 18 Comments
BrianZipse · I can't wait for this one ... my pick is Canford Cliffs, but the weight difference is a concern. · 664 days ago ·

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medlocke · This truly is a clash of 2 titans of the sport right now!! I agree with you Brian Zipse, I'm also picking Canford Cliffs. But him having to give away 8 or 9lbs. to Frankel is a serious concern. But, IMO, I think with only 4 horses in the field, this race becomes as much about tactics as it does speed. That's where Canford Cliffs will have the advantage, IMO. The pressure's more on Tom Queally riding Frankel to keep his unbeaten record in tact than it is on Richard Hughes and Canford Cliffs. Because Canford Cliffs has already been beaten in his career. Although, he has a 5 straight G1 winning streak on the line himself. Frankel's a beast. But so is the horse that's going to be running at him. I say Canford Cliffs beats Frankel in the Sussex Stakes by a head. TJMO. · 664 days ago ·

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mary.schweitzer · No doubt this will be a tactical race. I'm going with Frankel in this one; I think he's the only one who can either go with it on the front end, or lay off the pace. He'll be up front and be allowed to dictate things...with Canford Cliffs right off of him. Definitely will be a close one. :) · 664 days ago ·

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KyOaksRunner · I love both colts but really like the way Frankel explodes away from his fields. If they don't try to rate him again I think he could win this with the big weight break. The distance favors Canford Cliffs and beating Goldikova is one of the toughest things to do in racing, that deserves a ton of respect. · 664 days ago ·

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LAZMANICK · This truly could be one of the top five races this year anywhere in the world. It would be too much to hope that these two along with Goldi line up in the BC Turf Mile. I would love to see Twirling Candy in that race too. · 664 days ago ·

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TimSmith · I am thinking C.C teaches Frankel a lesson. Easy win. The only reason I would want Frankel to win is then it might make the connections of Frankel consider the BCmile. · 664 days ago ·

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BrittanyHamilton · What time will this race be on tv?? I have always wanted to watch Frankel race · 664 days ago ·

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medlocke · @BrittanyHamilton, You'll be able to see the G1 Sussex Stakes live on HRTV at 10:10 A.M. east coast time. Frankel at 8-11, Canford Cliffs at 11-8. Give me the 11-8 on Canford Cliffs all day long. Don't get me wrong, I think Frankel one of the best 3yr.old's that's come along in a long time, and he's got freakish ability. That said, Frankel's unbeaten record is all placated on having beaten other 3yr.old's that were clearly inferior to him. He's never faced older horses, and he's going right straight to the top of the list among older horses taking on Canford Cliffs. Frankel's never faced another horse with anywhere near the kind of speed and tactical ability that Canford Cliffs has. It's no accident that Canford Cliffs beat Goldikova pretty easily at Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes, and it's also no accident that he's reeled off 5 straight major G1 win's at a mile on turf. Going back to the 2010 season, Canford Cliffs has won the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, the G1 St James's Palace Stakes, the G1 Sussex Stakes, the G1 Lockinge Stakes, and the G1 Queen Anne Stakes in succession. He's faced some really tough milers in those 5 races, too. Canford Cliffs will beat Frankel in this year's Sussex Stakes, IMO. · 664 days ago ·

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BrittanyHamilton · Thanks. Will it be on TVG? I sadly dont have HRTV :p. I think Frankel will beat Canford Cliffs easily. It will be a great race either way though. · 664 days ago ·

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medlocke · @BrittanyHamilton, My guess is that TVG will also show the Sussex Stakes, too. TVG and HRTV usually both show the major G1 races from the UK and Ireland!! · 664 days ago ·

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BrittanyHamilton · ok thanks!! · 664 days ago ·

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rossington · It's the fastest 3yr.old in racing at a mile on turf. Going against the fastest 4yr.old in racing at a mile on turf. Both Canford Cliffs and Frankel absolutely reek of class!! Whichever one win's this race? I can't say that I'll be surprised by the outcome. The only way I'd be shocked at the outcome of this year's Sussex Stakes would be if Rajsaman or Rio De La Plata end up winning the race. · 663 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · With 8lbs advantage and a tacticle advantage I think Frank does have the upper hand. I'm rooting for the youngster. · 663 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Top 4yo old against top 3yo in July. CC has huge advantage that 8lbs isn't going to make up for for Frankel · 663 days ago ·

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yukichan · Think Frankel has the edge...though he won his last outing (mile) by a short length...cannot forget his win in the 2000 Guineas by 6 lengths over Dubawi Gold... · 663 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · If this was run at the end of September I would go with Frankle but unless this horse is a freak like Secretariat he's at a huge age disadvantage. · 663 days ago ·

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footlick · Wow......... · 663 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Looks to me like he's a freak. 3yos just don't beat top older horses that way in July. · 663 days ago ·

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Goldikova, Canford Cliffs Clash at Ascot

Goldikova's eagerly-anticipated clash with Canford Cliffs looks set for Tuesday, with the two star milers both among the early entries for the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes, opening event of the five-day Royal Ascot festival, which runs from June 14 through Saturday, June 18.Read More

Show All 5 Comments
horsisars · I cant wait to see this race... I watched some Canford Cliffs races and it is going to be tough for Goldikova... but I still think she is the best and will put Canford Cliffs away... I hope. · 707 days ago ·

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TimSmith · This is a great match up!! GOOOOOldikova · 707 days ago ·

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xMystix · Definitely waking up early to watch all of this tomorrow ;). · 707 days ago ·

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12thCrown · We need a big race to get excited about after that weird Belmont! Hoping Gold' can strike again to keep our interest through the Breeders' Cup so she can get her due!! · 707 days ago ·

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xMystix · 12thCrown, I agree! I don't think she gets enough due just because she is a foreign horse. · 707 days ago ·

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