Goldrush Glory out to prove her mettle in Star Shoot

Trained by Kelly Callaghan for owner Barry Holmes, Goldrush Glory is a full sister to the multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed Goldstryke Glory. Callaghan, who conditioned Goldstryke Glory to front-running scores in the Inglorious and Apelia Stakes at Woodbine in 2013 notes a few similarities between the siblings.

“Looks wise and personality wise, I’d say yes they’re similar but this filly will go farther than ‘Goldstryke’ did,” said Callaghan. “I didn’t have Goldstryke Glory until late in her three-year-old year where I’ve had this filly right from the start so it’s hard to compare.

“’Goldstryke’ didn’t come to me speed crazy, it just developed later on and maybe the same thing will happen with ‘Goldrush’, continued Callaghan. “Right now, ‘Goldrush’ indicates that she’ll go farther which is handier because there’s more races here for her. She waits for you to ask her what to do, and she’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

Goldrush Glory debuted on July 23 in the My Dear Stakes finishing sixth and returned in November to graduate at second asking with a prominent 5 ¾-length score under jockey Jesse Campbell.

“She wasn’t quite tight enough for the stake but Jesse was easy on her and he came back and said ‘Don’t worry, she’s a nice filly and she’ll be okay’,” recalled Callaghan.

The dark bay went to post as the second choice behind well regarded favourite Fresh Princess in her maiden score but proved full value in victory.

“We were hopeful that day and we knew Tony (Gattellaro, trainer of Fresh Princess) liked his horse as well and we were just hoping we wouldn’t get caught up in a speed duel,” said Callaghan. “Fortunately, for us, his horse missed the break so there was no speed duel and she ended up looking just like her sister.”

Goldrush Glory wintered in Florida where she made two starts on the turf finishing fourth, after setting the pace in a five furlong sprint, and eighth when travelling 7 ½-furlongs.

“She wintered well,” said Callaghan. “She went into that first race with just one work and I was really proud of her. She went in :22 and :44 and was on the lead. She just got a little tired, which I expected. I don’t really think she’s a five-eighths horse and especially a Gulfstream five-eighths where they’re ridiculously fast.”

To win the Star Shoot, Goldrush Glory will have to contend with a talented field of seven that includes stakes winners Red Lodge and Will She.

Red Lodge, trained by Wes Ward, arrives with sharp works at Keeneland. The Midshipman chestnut travelled to Ascot to compete in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes in June, finishing eighth, and on her return to North America immediately captured the grassy Colleen at Monmouth. She will make her seasonal debut under Jose Valdivia, Jr.

Will She, trained by Mike Keogh for owner-breeder Gus Schickedanz, won two of three juvenile starts including a romping 8 ¾-length score in the six furlong Fanfreluche Stakes to close out her campaign. The Wando chestnut graduated at first asking when sprinting seven furlongs on the E.P. Taylor Turf but failed to fire next out in the difficult Grade 1 Natalma. Jesse Campbell retains the mount.

R Naja, Sister Nation, Crumlin Queen and Gilded Lily complete the field.

With Campbell committed to Will She, Patrick Husbands will take over aboard Goldrush Glory in the Star Shoot.

“I’m fit and I’m where I want to be,” said Callaghan. “She worked a half in :47 and change and galloped out in 1:00.3. Hopefully we’re tighter than a lot of the other ones.”

The Star Shoot is slated as Race 8 on Saturday’s 10-race card. First post time is 1PM. Fans can watch and wager on all the action via HPIBet.com​.

1 / Goldrush Glory / Patrick Husbands / Kelly Callaghan

2 / Red Lodge / Jose Valdivia, Jr. / Wes Ward

3 / R Naja / Luis Contreras / Michael Stidham

4 / Sister Nation / Gary Boulanger / Mike DePaulo

5 / Crumlin Queen / David Moran / Mike Doyle

6 / Gilded Lily / Rafael Hernandez / Mike Maker

7 / Will She / Jesse Campbell / Mike Keogh