Pondering repeats in Grade 3 Bessarabian

07/11/2026

TORONTO, November 7, 2026 - Godolphin's Pondering shipped back to Woodbine and held on gamely late to repeat in the $175,000 Grade 3 Bessarabian Stakes Saturday.

Ridden for the first time by Sahin Civaci, the defending champion in the 7-furlong main track sprint broke running from the outside, leading the field of nine by three lengths through an opening quarter mile in :22.35.

Recent Ontario Fashion Stakes winner Quadruple (GB) was second, followed in order by Purr Factor, Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters winner Reagan's Flame, Crystal Visions, Ultimate Authority, Eponine (IRE), Creed's Gold, and Quiet Street. The original field of ten was reduced by one, with Home for a Rest a scratch.

Going third off the layoff for trainer Brendan Walsh, Pondering rolled by the half mile marker, 2 1/2 lengths in front in a sizzling :44.53, with Civaci and the daughter of Hard Spun extending the lead to 4 lengths entering the stretch.

Mid-lane, Ryan Munger had the in-form Quadruple (GB) in full flight as a tiring Pondering was trying to see it out through a taxing six panels in 1:09.03. Inside the half-furlong pole, Quadruple (GB) was drawing closer with every stride, but the wire arrived in time for the defending champion and an elated Civaci, as they prevailed by a determined half length. The final running time was 1:23.07.

"I watched her replays, you know she's a strong filly," said Civaci. "In all the races she seems like she pulls really hard and we had the outside, so I wanted to use her a little.

“The plan wasn't to be in front, but that's where she ended up and she kept pulling me in. She dragged me along there and she hung on."

Owned and bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, Pondering (Hard Spun - Always Thinking, by Street Sense) raced eleven times as a sophomore, winning thrice, including a half-length win in the 2025 Bessarabian with jockey Declan Cannon up. That day, she came from off the pace, beating a field of fourteen and paid $27.90 for the victory.

Winless since (and 0 for 5 in 2026) Pondering was listed at 15-1 on the morning line, went postward at 10-1 and returned $22.20 for today’s win. With her successful repeat in the Bessarabian, Pondering improved to 5-2-1 from 20 career starts, and is now 2 for 3 at the 7-furlong main track distance.

Quadruple (GB) closed gamely to be second. Race favourite Reagan's Flame was third. Eponine (IRE) rounded out the superfecta and second choice Creed's Gold finished 8th.

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Phil McSween, for Woodbine Communications