Goldikova vanquishes rivals on way to a record hat-trick

Louisville: French-based Goldikova became the first horse to win three Breeders' Cup races by roaring to victory in the $2 million Mile Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The five-year-old mare raced about seven lengths off the pace on the final turn but used an explosive kick down the stretch to vanquish her rivals for jockey Olivier Peslier.

"I didn't want to ask too much of her [early]," said Peslier. "She was wide on the turn but after that she relaxed behind the pace.

"On the last turn, she was flying and she kept running. I don't know the words to describe what it feels like to ride a champion like that."

As the 6-5 favourite in the field of 11, Goldikova, who won the Mile in 2008 and 2009, defeated last year's Breeders' Classic runner-up Gio Ponti by one-and-three-quarter lengths.

Goldikova trainer Freddie Head was the jockey on Miesque when the filly won back-to-back Miles over the turf in 1987 and 1988.

"It's quite unreal," said Head. "She's amazing, she can do anything. It's too good to be true. I'm very emotional."