Gio Ponti to run in Breeders’ Cup Mile
Zenyatta or Goldikova? Which should you take on?
That was the conundrum that faced the connections of Gio Ponti when they pre-entered the five-year-old for two races at this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Churchill Downs this weekend. Owner Shane Ryan, of Castleton Lyons, had the choice of the Mile or going for the $5million jackpot in the Classic.
But that would have meant taking on Zenyatta, to whom Gio Ponti finished second in last year’s race on the synthetic Pro-Ride track at Santa Anita. This year would have provided the added challenge of what would have been Gio Ponti’s debut run on dirt. In the end Ryan and trainer Christophe Clement have elected to stick to familiar turf.
Gio Ponti, who won Eclipse Awards as male turf horse and older horse of last year, has won six Grade Ones on turf in 18 starts. Last time out he showed he was close to his best form when he won the Grade One Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland last month.
Ryan, in a press statement, said: “Having thought long and hard about our choices, we have decided to enter our dual champion in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
"As tempting as the Classic is, we were awed with his last trip over the mile course at Keeneland when winning the Shadwell Mile. It is due to this professional performance that we feel we must take on the best milers in the world, including a showdown with Goldikova.
"I'm not sure which filly is more feared, Goldikova or Zenyatta," said Ryan, who ended up choosing the race that was the preferred choice of Clement. "Either way, neither race is a picnic. We are very much looking forward to the challenge."
One other positive from the decision is that regular jockey Ramon Dominguez will now be available to take the ride. Dominguez, who has ridden Gio Ponti in his last 10 starts, would not have been in the saddle for a run in the Classic as he had already committed himself to ride Haynesfield, on whom he won the Grade One Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont last time out.
Gio Ponti will now join Proviso as they attempt to lead the home defence against a strong European challenge. Aside from Goldikova, the French filly trained by Freddie Head, who will attempting an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the race there is also Paco Boy, who has proved himself to be one of the top milers in the last two seasons.
Tags: