Violeta M. Set to Run in the Goldikova Stakes Ahead of the Breeders’ Cup

The Argentine mare will race today at Del Mar, making her third U.S. appearance

By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California)

DEL MAR, California — Argentine mare Violeta M., racing for Stud Las Monjitas, will make her third U.S. start this Saturday in the GIII Goldikova Stakes (1600 m, turf), the third race on the Breeders’ Cup program at Del Mar. The $300,000 event has drawn a deep field of 13 quality mares, where Argentina’s representative will look to make her mark against internationally seasoned rivals.

A daughter of John F Kennedy, Violeta M. has been steadily adapting to North American turf and aims to take another step forward. After two local outings, the Marcelo Polanco trainee will seek to combine her trademark toughness with the speed and tactical precision required over Del Mar’s tight turns and short stretch.

The favorite on the morning line is Special Wan (Belardo), the Irish-bred winner of the GIII Ladies Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs on August 30. She arrives fresh for Team Valor International and Steven Rocco. Another key contender is Deep Satin (American Pharoah), a dual stakes winner who will try to secure her first graded success after finishing a strong fourth in Keeneland’s GI First Lady Stakes. She will be ridden for the first time by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Also among the main threats is Breath Away (Bated Breath), trained by Miguel Clement and winner of the GII Dance Smartly Stakes. The 5-year-old, owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Rocco, and Marc Levine, enters the race riding a two-win streak at graded level and will be a major contender once again.

The Goldikova Stakes honors the legendary French mare Goldikova, a three-time GI Breeders’ Cup Mile heroine (2008–2010), Eclipse Award winner as Champion Female Turf Horse in 2009 and 2010, Cartier Horse of the Year in 2010, and inductee into racing’s Hall of Fame in 2017.

For Violeta M., the race presents another valuable opportunity to showcase her class on turf against proven international company. With Mike Smith back in the saddle, the bay mare will look to unleash the same late kick that brought her multiple graded victories in Argentina—this time in search of her first win on North American soil.