Going Global All Heart in Providencia

ARCADIA, CA – A resolute Going Global notched her third consecutive stakes win by taking Saturday’s $100,000 Providencia Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita by a neck under high-riding Flavien Prat.

Trained by Phil D’Amato, the 3-year-old Irish-bred filly got a mile and 1/8 on grass in 1:48.50.

Content to sit a stalking fourth down the backside as Sensible Cat set leisurely fractions, Going Global was about 2 1/2 lengths off the leader at the 3-furlong marker, kicked into gear two-wide turning for home and outran Closing Remarks late in a game effort.

“We got bumped around at the start, but then we settled in and we found a good spot,” said Prat, who’s been aboard for all 3 of Going Global’s stateside wins. “The pace was slow, but when it was time to run, she responded really great. She keeps getting better and better. We won at 6 furlongs, a mile, and now a mile and 1/8.”

Owned by CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gervitz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano, Going Global stretched out a furlong off a 3/4-length win in the 1-mile China Doll Stakes March 6 and paid $3.40, $2.40, and $2.20 as the 3/5 favorite among a field of seven sophomore fillies.

“I always thought a lot of this filly’s ability,” said D’Amato. “It has just kind of been 1 race after another to assess how far she’d go. Last time she went a mile, I went down there to watch her cool out and she was just as cool as a cucumber, she wouldn’t have blown out a match. I had a good feeling that this race at a mile and 1/8 was well within her reach.”

Now 3 for in Southern California, Going Global has a pair of graded stakes victories and 4 wins from 7 overall starts. With the winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $188,792.

One of two California-breds in the race, Closing Remarks ran a tremendous race at the rail through the stretch and finished 3 1/4 lengths clear of stablemate Sensible Cat. Off at 4/1 with Umberto Rispoli, Closing Remarks paid $3.40 and $2.80.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Sensible Cat, also a fellow Cal-bred, was off at 8/1 and paid $3.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 24.38, 49.00, 1:13.35 and 1:37.02.

Umberto Rispoli, jockey, Closing Remarks: “She ran really well. I took the option to go on the fence right away because she breaks really well. I knew the one (Sensible Cat) was going to lead, so I was tracking her and waiting. Flavien knew where I was and was tracking me, but I wasn’t worried because at the top of the stretch, I had plenty of room on the inside.

“Going Global is a very good filly. When she took off, it looked like she was going to win by 4 or 5 lengths. She was just waiting for somebody to come by.

“I think Closing Remarks is the best California-bred filly that we have so far. I’m pleased with her, and she deserved to win a graded race.”

D’Amato: “I gotta give a lot of credit to my team. When she came here, she was very high energy with a ton of ability, but she’d always really been on it when she got on to the track or in the paddock. With a lot of hard work, a lot of schooling, just patience, with every race she’s gotten better than the last and relaxed more. Flavien just fits her to a tee.

Nentwig: “She’s more than we could have ever hoped for. A lot of the times, I don’t get to the races as quick. She had done everything right from day one with Phil, other than being a little high-strung, but the exercise teams have done a wonderful job with her. They have taken their time with her and it shows in the afternoon.”