First top-flight success for Fallon since return.

REPORT: US Goodwood Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1f (AW) 3yo+ Santa Anita KIEREN FALLON had his first top-flight success since returning to action on September 4, after his 18-month worldwide ban, when partnering the Marco Bottitrained 18-1 shot Gitano Hernando to a shock victory in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, writes Dan Farley.

For the Newmarket trainer, this S the biggest success of his career, while for Fallon it was a first top-level victory since Dylan Thomas in the 2007 Arc.

The three-year-old, making his US debut, was settled in fifth early under a patient ride by Fallon. Gitano Hernando was then produced late between Parading on the inside and 5-2 favourite Colonel John on the outside, and prevailed by a neck from Colonel John.

Richard's Kid, winner of the Pacific Classic last time, finished well to be third, less than a length behind the runner-up. Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird could finish only sixth of ten in the 1m1f contest, run on the synthetic track.

Fallon said: "He broke the track record in his last start [at Wolverhampton on September 17] and he's been training great.

"He's a tough horse and he needed to be today. Around the turn he was full of running and I was worried about the horse inside of us [Chocolate Candy], because I could see he was looking for room. I was afraid maybe we were going to be going for the same gap, and that can sometimes be dangerous." Fallon added of the finish: "My horse just wanted it more. He's tough as nails and really wanted to win. I honestly didn't think he could beat the likes of Colonel John."

Botti said: "We are absolutely delighted with the horse. He is improving all the time. He is a nice horse. He's lightly raced and it's amazing going from a conditions race to Grade 1."

He added: "Whether he goes to the Breeders' Cup, we don't know."

Garrett Gomez, on Colonel John, said: "He travelled good, but when they started sprinting I just got outsprinted for about 50 yards. He [Gitano Hernando] quickened faster than my horse could quicken."

The Goodwood was just one of several races on the Santa Anita card with Breeders' Cup impli-cations, and the biggest thrill for local race fans was Zenyatta taking her unbeaten record to 13 with victory in the Grade 1 Lady's Secret Stakes, run over 1m1/2f on the all-weather proride track.

The John Shirreffs-trained Zenyatta won as a 2-5 favourite should under Mike Smith, whose mount split horses coming to the top of the straight and had the race sewn up on turning in.

Smith said: "She can run with anyone, anywhere. Today she had ten gears and she had to use only four of them."

Zenyatta's connections said that no decision would be made on whether she went next for the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, which she won last year, or the Classic itself.

"We'll let the horse make the decision," said owner Jerry Moss.

Magical Fantasy (Patrick Gallagher/Alex Solis) won the Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes by half a length over Visit, with Black Mamba another nose back in third. Cowboy Cal (Todd Pletcher/Garrett Gomez) led throughout to win the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile by half a length over Global Hunter.

Markets, page 19

CAPTION(S):

Kieren Fallon and Gitano Hernando (nearest) win the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday