Handicapper's Corner: 2024 Gamely Stakes (G1)

 International crowd could surprise in the Gamely Stakes

By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power

Contested at 1 1/8 miles over Santa Anita's turf course, the $300,000 Grade 1 Gamely Stakes, open to three-year-old fillies and older, attracted nine entrants.

Only two Gamely winners contested the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf since 2017, but both finished second, and one, Lady Eli (2017), won that year's Eclipse Award as Champion Turf Mare.

 

Held on Memorial Day, the Gamely is featured as race 9 of 11 with a 5:00 P.T. post time.

Let's dive into the thrilling details of the 2024 Gamely Stakes.

Contenders

6. Anisette (G.B.) returns after a five-month layoff. A dual Grade 1 winner, she was last seen winning the American Oaks (G1) by 1 ¾ lengths. Off the board only once in 9 career starts, the Leonard Powell trainee has won after extended layoffs in the past. However, she's not a total lock, as Ruby Nell bested her by 3 ¼ lengths in the one-mile Autumn Miss (G3) last November.   Contender.

4. Nadette (F.R.) won her first U.S. victory in the Wilshire Stakes (G3) in her last start. Her last win was in a French stakes in 2022. However, the Neil Drysdale trainee has shored up the superfecta exotics in 7 of 10 starts here, all in stakes. A confirmed closer, Nadette is making her first start beyond 1 1/16 miles. Contender.

7. Linda's Gift brings a 3-race win streak to the Gamely. The confirmed pacesetter/presser can carry her speed, and her last three races were between 1 ¼ to 1 ½ miles. Her only competition for the lead is stablemate Ruby Nell, so Tiago Pereira could slow the pace and steal the race. Contender.

2. Ruby Nell gets another shot as a turf router. She flattened out to fourth in last year's Del Mar Oaks, but she's bigger and, hopefully, better now. The Richard Mandella trainee captured the Buena Vista (G2) in her first start of the season, earning a 93 Brisnet figure. It should set her up for another good effort. Ruby Nell may vie with stablemate Linda's Gift for the lead. Exotics.

3. Uncorked (AUS) makes her second California start for Phil D'Amato. She showed her fondness for the Santa Anita turf with a 2-length win over Justique in the 1-mile Royal Heroine (G3). Previously, she was in the money in six of seven starts on the East Coast from a mile to 1 1/16 miles but finished an uncharacteristic sixth at 1 1/8 miles. D'Amato's turf charges win at 19% and are in the money 50% in their second start off the layoff. Exotics.

5. Justique adds distance after a frustrating series of one-mile races where she's run out of real estate. Justify’s daughter has seen Ruby Nell's tail end four times and has been beaten by Nadette, Anisette, and Uncorked. John Shirreffs shakes things up with a jock switch from Mike Smith to Antonio Fresu. Exotics.

Not Today

1. Olivia Maralda (IRE) had a spotty record sprinting in Great Britain and Ireland over good and soft tracks. She closed strongly to grab second place, beaten ¾ length in her U.S. debut over a good Keeneland course, and earned a 90 Brisnet speed figure. So, will she regress with the dreaded "Euro bounce" or improve off the effort? The 4-year-old filly is taking a class jump, adding a furlong, and shipping. Young Will Walden, son of trainer and WinStar Farm President/CEO and Racing Manager Elliott Walden, is 0 for 4 with turf horses making their second start off the layoff. Pass.

8. Yerwanthere (IRE) has been off the board in all graded stakes and was bested a half-length by optional claimers in her last start. Pass.

9. Forever After All ships west, hoping to find a softer group. In her last start, she finished a troubled sixth in the Modesty (G3) at Churchill but is otherwise hit-or-miss. Although her speed figures are on the upswing and, J J Hernandez is in the irons, and Brendan Walsh won the 2022 Gamely, Forever After All needs to improve quite a bit to be competitive here. Pass.

Analysis

In the last 12 years, only two Gamely heroines finished out of the money in their previous race. No pacesetter has won, but pressers and closers are most successful. Surprisingly, only three favorites have won in a dozen years, and four have shored up the exotics.

6. Anisette is the class of the race and may be the favorite. 

I'm looking hard at 4. Nadette (F.R.). Neil Drysdale may not get the spotlight like he did in his heyday with A.P. Indy and Fusaichi Pegasus, but he can still surprise. Nadette has gained ground in the stretch of her last five starts and should enjoy the extra distance.

Selections

4. Nadette (FR)

6. Anisette

7. Linda’s Gift

5. Justique