Just when you thought it was all about American Pharoah, out comes Beholder, winning the Pacific Classic on a hand ride by Gary Stevens, winning by 8 1/4 lengths.
The 5-year old Beholder is the first filly/mare to win this prestigious race and she sure made it look easy! The victory, worth $600,000, increased Beholder’s career earnings to $4,256,600, with 14 wins in 19 starts, including nine in her last 10 under Stevens.
Beholder is no stranger to accolades. In 2012 she was named the American Champion 2-Year Old Filly, followed by being the American Champion 3-Year Old Filly the following year. In 2014 she won only one stakes race, losing most of her season to an injury.
There is already a talk of having her race against American Pharoah. What a match that would be.
I was wondering if there would be talk of a match race. Have to admit not sure I want that to happen. Memories of Ruffian still hurt. But,………..what a lovely girl Beholder is!
I don’t think there’s a match race in the making per se, rather that they will both end up at the same race sometime in the future. Almost a shame, though to have one emerge as a “winner” when they are both so spectacular.