Good Cheer delights again in Rags To Riches Stakes

Unbeaten filly Good Cheer overcame some early trouble to post another convincing victory in the extended-mile Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill Downs, USA, on Sunday, 27 October. 

A comprehensive winner on her two previous starts, including scoring by 17 lengths over the course and distance in September, the Brad Cox-trained juvenile was squeezed on both sides leaving the stalls and found herself last of the five runners. 

Having moved up the inside of Adeera entering the first turn, Good Cheer went third from Mechaya at the halfway point before making a big move around Claire's Charm and Sherbini to take the lead at the top of the straight. 

Claire’s Charm rallied but could not go with Good Cheer approaching the final furlong. The Medaglia d’Oro homebred stretched further clear close home to prevail by nearly five lengths under 

Luis Saez, earning 10 Kentucky Oaks points in the process. Luis Saez said: “Good Cheer is a very mature filly. The first time I rode her in the slop, she made me think that she is one of the best fillies that I have ridden. She did it easily today, like it was nothing. She’s got a big turn of foot, and I had a lot of horse. 

“The plan was to be a little bit closer, but we had to go to plan B. I took a little hold and put her behind the speed. When she was ready at the half-mile, I had so much horse, and she just kept going.”