After running a graded stakes-quality speed figure in winning the Seneca Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs last month, Rigney Racing’s Xigera was considered for the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Santa Anita Park before her connections opted for a less ambitious spot.
That alternative race comes a week before the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in the Oct. 28 Mother Goose Stakes (G2) during the Belmont at the Big A meet. The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies is one of three stakes on Saturday’s 11-race program at Aqueduct, along with the $300,000 Forty Niner Stakes (G2) and the $135,000 Awad Stakes.
A longtime fixture at Belmont Park in late June or early July, the $250,000 Mother Goose was repositioned on the New York stakes calendar this year.
The timing suits Xigera, who earned a 102 Equibase Speed Figure Sept. 23 in winning the 1 1/16-mile Seneca Overnight Stakes in 1:41.92. The victory was her third in four starts this year and fourth in eight career races. She crossed the wire 6 1/4 lengths in front.
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No one was catching XIGERA and @JulienLeparoux ! 🏆🏇🏽pic.twitter.com/sNbMZCCTlL
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) September 24, 2023
That race understandably had her connections excited for further opportunities with the 3-year-old daughter of Nyquist .
Reflecting on Breeders’ Cup consideration, “We talked in circles about it and decided that maybe the best thing at the moment would be to get her a graded black type win, if we can,” trainer Phil Bauer said.
Xigera has a top-level stakes placing from her 2-year-old year in the 2022 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, but no existing graded stakes wins. She took the ungraded Tepin Stakes on turf this summer at Ellis Park.
“She’s one of the favorites in the barn because she is one that takes her race anywhere and we’re certainly excited to try,” Bauer added.
Kentucky-based jockey Julien Leparoux travels to New York for the ride.
Her Rivals
- Katsumi Yoshida’s Defining Purpose , who upset the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland for trainer Kenny McPeek in the spring, was recently fifth in the Sept. 23 Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing.
- Alpha Delta Stables’ Occult , trained by Chad Brown, ran third in the Cotillion, rallying from last to finish 1 3/4-lengths behind Ceiling Crusher , who upset divisional leader Pretty Mischievous .
- Pine Brook Farm’s Foggy Night , winner of the Delaware Oaks (G3) this summer for trainer Butch Reid, will aim to rebound from a sixth-place finish over the sloppy Parx surface in the Cotillion.
- Also seeking to bounce back is Stonestreet Stables’ graded-winning Julia Shining . The Todd Pletcher trainee was eased in the Aug. 19 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Entries: Mother Goose S. (G2)
Belmont at the Big A, Saturday, October 28, 2023, Race 8
- Grade II
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $250,000
- 3 yo Fillies
- 3:48 PM (local)
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