Goldencents’ Going to Vegas captures Rodeo Drive S. (G1) for second straight year

Going to Vegas was a gate-to-wire winner of the $300,000 Rodeo Drive S. (G1) Saturday at Santa Anita Park, marking the second time in as many years for her to win the turf marathon event.

The 5-year-old daughter of Goldencents, who is now a four-time graded stakes winner in her career, also was granted an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) by virtue of the Rodeo Drive being part of the “Win and You’re In” series sponsored by the Breeders’ Cup.

Much as she did in last year’s running of the Rodeo Drive, Going to Vegas was sent to the front Saturday by jockey Umberto Rispoli. She set a measured pace of :48.60 for the first half-mile and 1:13.42 for the six furlongs. The pace began to quicken shortly after that, and despite several challenges in the stretch, Going to Vegas held them all at bay to win by 1 ¼-lengths.

“We were expecting to go to the lead,” said Rispoli. “We had the same plan and everything worked well. I haven’t been on her since last March, but she gave me that same feeling as the last time. At the top of the stretch, she took off. She felt good, was really relaxed and she did everything. She always responds. I think she really loves this track. It’s on to Keeneland.”

Going to Vegas, owned by the partnership of Abbondanza Racing, Medallion Racing and MyRacehorse, has now earned $989,151 and is 8-11-3 in 28 starts. She was bred by J. Kirk and Judy Robinson.

Goldencents now has seven stakes winners this year and leads the Fifth-Crop sire list with 127 individual winners of 192 races.