Godspeed Targets Just A Game

Group 2 winner Godspeed (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) is targeting the GI Just A Game Stakes at Saratoga on June 6, co-owner Peter Bradley told Jour de Galop on Wednesday. Trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, the filly is owned by Bradley, F & O Hinderze Racing and Ecurie JML Racing.

Since taking the G2 Prix de Sandringham in June of 2025, the daughter of Mary's Precedent (Storming Home) ran fourth in the G1 Prix Rothschild in August and seventh in her three-year-old finale–the G1 Prix de la Foret in October. She resumed with a second-place finish in the Listed Prix Maurice Zilber to Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) at ParisLongchamp April 23.

“The filly finished fourth in the Rothschild last year, facing some of the best European milers,” said Bradley. “In her seasonal debut-as you saw–she finished second, I believe to a very good filly, Mandanaba, who–if I'm not mistaken–is headed to Royal Ascot. So, I would say her form lines over the mile are quite solid. I think her turn of foot and running style will suit the tracks we have here in the United States. Godspeed likes firm ground, which is a plus.

“The Just A Game Stakes carries a purse of $500,000. That can pay for a plane ticket pretty quickly if you finish first or second! So, I think it's a calculated gamble that is well worth taking. However, the standard of competition on turf has really strengthened here in the United States. A large part of that is likely linked to Chad Brown and the face that he has gone out and purchased European horses. Obviously, Coolmore and Darley have also sent top-class horses here. So, in a way, that has made us better on turf.”

Godspeed, if all goes well in the Just A Game, would return to France. However, there are multiple international targets under consideration for the filly, both in Europe and back in the U.S.

“As for Godspeed, the plan is to return to France afterwards,” added Bradley. “We would like to target the Rothschild again. I think that, depending on how her next two races unfold, we will finalize her program for the rest of the year. That will give us a better idea. But obviously, there are a few races in the United States that might suit her–such as the First Lady Stakes or the Matriarch Stakes. If she were to achieve something truly remarkable in the Rothschild, we would look toward some autumn races in Ireland and England for her.”