Goldikova and Trainer Freddie Head at Santa Anita

Goldikova (IRE) made an appearance on the track at Santa Anita Thursday morning for French trainer Freddie Head. She is the defending champ and my top pick for Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile.

French Trainer Freddie Head at Santa Anita

Trainer Freddie Head (left) watches his standout filly, Goldikova, work on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride track Tuesday morning. Goldikova arrived at Santa Anita Sunday afternoon after a flight from France, and will face males in the $2 million Breeders Cup Mile on Saturday.

Regular jockey Olivier Peslier will ride the three-year-old daughter of Anabaa, who enters the race with a 3-race winning streak, including the Prix de Moulin at Longchamp on Sept. 7.

Freddie Head, son of legendary French trainer Alec Head, was a champion jockey in France - where he rode almost 3,000 winners, including back-to-back Breeders Cup Miles with Miesque in 1987 and 1988 - before retiring at the age of 50 to pursue a career in training at Chantilly.

Goldikova will try to become the first female Breeders Cup Mile winner since Six Perfections in 2003. Goldikova drew post 4 in the Mile, which doesn't seem to bother Head, who said, "She's fast. She can get her place."