What’s better than a double?... Perhaps an old-fashioned double?... Or better yet, an old-fashioned Kentucky Downs double?... Ask the Goliad connections and you will get some confirmation.
Goliad is a hard-running son of War Front that has enjoyed a history making seven days at Kentucky Downs. Trained by California-based Richard Mandella, this Kentucky-bred gelding decided to make the trek back to where his hooves hit the ground for a run at the crazy big purses offered at these Downs.
The plan for this speedy seven-year-old began on September 1. Breaking from the rail in a $500,000 Handicap, Goliad immediately went to the lead and carved out solid fractions (23.33 opening quarter, 45.53 half mile) in this one-mile race. At the top of the stretch Goliad was still there driving towards the wire. Finishing almost a length to the good and covering the distance in 1:33.12, Goliad picked up his third win of the year and first ever in his home state.
Fast forward to September 7 and the grade 3 Mint Millions Stakes. Understanding the game as well as anyone, the hall-of-fame conditioner and recent Laffit Pincay Award winner decided to keep his tough-running turf titan in Franklin, Kentucky. Entering him in the Mint Millions, this was certainly an old-fashioned move as horses in today’s game don’t normally come back this quick. In the olden days of the sport, it was fairly common, in 2024, not so much. But Mandella knew his charged was charged.
Breaking from the outside post this time, the determined Goliad bolted to the lead. Hell-bent on having the front, this grandson of Dynaformer gobbled up grass in front-running fashion. Throwing down sizzling numbers just six days after his last score, Goliad put up a half mile in 44.92 that featured a 21.78 second quarter. Running with authority, Goliad was still there in this one-mile drive for $2 million.
As the runners entered the final furlong, the question was how much did he have in the tank? Focused on the finish under jockey Flavien Prat, Goliad just kept on going. Finishing a length ahead of a closing Cash Equity in 1:33.38, Mandella and his willing warrior had accomplished the unthinkable in today’s racing world.
“All the credit goes to Mr Mandella and his team for their preparation”, says Prat. “He’s a bit of a stubborn horse and I have learned to try and stay out of his way. He wanted the lead so I just let him go and tried to get him relaxed. He ran a fantastic race.”
Winning two races at Kentucky Downs in a six day span is one of those accomplishments that is legendary. Goliad picked up a cool $1.5 million for his efforts and boosted his career earnings to $1,758,571. For the witty Mandella, the history-making strategy was quite simple.
“I ran him back before I had a chance to mess it up”, smiled Mandella.
