Goldy Espony gets away with another theft in Long Island

After her three-race winning streak was snapped with a ninth in the Glens Falls (G3), Goldy Espony resumed her previously successful front-running ways and stole Saturday’s $200,000 Long Island H. (G3) at Aqueduct.

One of a trio representing trainer Chad Brown, the 7-2 second choice broke alertly from the rail, and regular rider Kendrick Carmouche carefully rationed out her speed. The race was essentially over by the time Goldy Espony rounded the far turn for the first time in the 1 1/2-mile turf test, for she was in her comfort zone – controlling the pace through slow fractions.

That was exactly how the French-bred gray had garnered daylight victories in her only prior attempts at this distance in the July 5 River Memories on Belmont’s Widener course and the August 8 Waya (G3) over Saratoga’s inner turf. But the September 5 Glens Falls, at 1 3/8 miles over the same course, didn’t unfold to suit her. A madcap pace ultimately produced a new course record of 2:11.46, while Goldy Espony chased early before tiring to last. Brown later revealed that Goldy Espony exited the Glens Falls with “some foot issues,” so there was more to her uncharacteristic effort than just a disadvantageous pace.

Although the Long Island was never going to yield another rip-roaring tempo, there was at least the possibility of one of her stablemates going forward. Since Rosalind was an opportunistic pacesetter en route to her third in the E.P. Taylor (G1) last out, she wasn't likely to go forward here. On the other hand, 3-1 favorite Danza Cavallo may have had more reason to try the tactic. Not only had she led the way in the Flower Bowl (G1) and finished a clear second to next-out Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) heroine Stephanie’s Kitten, but Danza Cavallo has also tended to be rank early, suggesting that she doesn’t take well to restraint.

But Goldy Espony was the quickest into stride here. After getting away with an opening quarter in :25.28 on the firm turf, she continued her scenic tour through splits of :51.38, 1:17.09 and 1:42.93. The only one to think about prompting the issue was Courtesan, the longest shot on the board at 62-1, and her attempt was feeble and ineffective. Meanwhile, Danza Cavallo was exhibiting her frustration at being held up in a ground-saving third, as though jealous of Goldy Espony’s freedom.

Entering the stretch, Danza Cavallo had room to come off the fence and try to go after Goldy Espony, but her stablemate had been given too much leeway. The front runner had already begun to ratchet up the pace at the 1 1/4-mile mark in 2:07.33, and she quickened decisively in the stretch. Goldy Espony tossed in a final quarter in :23.77 to complete 1 1/2 miles in 2:31.10.

Finishing fastest of all for third was Gotachancetodance, who was making her stakes debut for Todd Pletcher. The 11-1 chance is worth watching off this effort, considering that the daughter of turf champ English Channel rallied from ninth and just missed second by a nose. Danza Cavallo salvaged the runner-up spot to round out the Brown exacta, 1 1/4 lengths adrift of Goldy Espony. 

Campaigned by Swift Thoroughbreds and Bradley Thoroughbreds, Goldy Espony improved her scorecard to 14-7-1-2, $523,604. She was originally owned and trained in France by Henri Alex Pantall, who co-bred her with Yvette Chabot. During the French phase of her career, Goldy Espony captured the 2014 Prix Penelope (G3) and Prix Rose de Mai. She was sixth in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) in her U.S. debut and concluded her sophomore season with a belated third in the Valley View (G3) at Keeneland. Off until May 8, Goldy Espony resumed with a Belmont allowance score, the beginning of her skein.

Quotes courtesy of NYRA:

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche on Goldy Espony: "I felt very confident this time that they would probably let me go a little easier than the last Saratoga race (the Glens Falls). That being said, I'm just very appreciative of the opportunity from Chad Brown and the owners. It's been a very successful ride so far in New York."

Trainer Chad Brown on Goldy Espony: "She had some foot issues we were dealing with and thankfully we got them all fixed up and behind her and Amy Kinley worked on her feed for us and did a great job. Kendrick gets along really well with this filly. He's able to set a slow pace and wire them again. I'll speak to Peter Bradley who heads the ownership group and figure out what we're going to do with her. She's had a great season."

Brown on Danza Cavallo (runner-up) and Rosalind (ninth of 10): "Rosalind didn't fire today, I'll have to reevaluate her future, and Danza Cavallo ran well. A mile and a half might be a touch far for her. She was just tucked in behind the eventual winner the whole way. I thought she had a good trip. She had dead aim on her heading for home and Goldy just had more. (With) Danza, it would be nice if we could just cut her back a touch. We still think she has some nice races ahead of her."

Photo courtesy NYRA/Coglianese Photography/Joe Labozzetta.