Head Going For Gold With ‘Queen’

Trainer Freddy Head knows how to get a winning performance out a filly at the Breeders’ Cup, having done just that three times with Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile. This year Head relies on Group 1 winner Queen’s Jewel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and the conditioner said at Keeneland Wednesday that he is pleased with how the 3-year-old has handled her preparations.

“It was raining when we left France and it looks like we’ve brought it with us,” said Head after watching Queen’s Jewel stretch her legs on Keeneland’s training track in the midst of a downpour. “This filly has had a few problems, but I’m very pleased with the way she has traveled, while I don’t think she will mind the cut in the ground. It looks a race that will suit her and I was happy with her work this morning.”

Queen’s Jewel–who, like Goldikova, races as a homebred for the Wertheimer brothers–was favored for the G1 Prix de Diane in June after running her unbeaten streak to three in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary, but could manage no better than 11th from the extreme-outside gate 17, and was not seen again until Oct. 4, when she finished ninth of 13 in the G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp.