Santa Anita Park Picks | Gamely Stakes 2024

Multiple graded stakes winner Ruby Nell and Linda’s Gift, both trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, and Grade I winner Anisette lead a deep nine-horse field set for Monday’s GI, $300,000 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

The Gamely, which is for fillies and mares, is contested at 1 1/8 miles on turf. It is part of a blockbuster Memorial Day card that also includes the GI Shoemaker Mile and GII Hollywood Gold Cup.

In addition to the Gamely, Monday’s 11-race holiday card also includes the GI Shoemaker Mile and GII Hollywood Gold Cup. First post time is 1 p.m. Admission gates open at 11 a.m.

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Ruby Nell is exiting a front-running victory in the GII Buena Vista at a mile on turf March 3 at Santa Anita. Edwin Maldonado was aboard that day and he retains the mount. In Ruby Nell’s only other start this year, she was third in the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

A 4-year-old Bolt d’Oro filly, Ruby Nell last year won three stakes including the GIII Autumn Miss over runner-up Anisette when going a mile on turf at Santa Anita. Her only prior start at 1 1/8 miles came in last year’s GI Del Mar Oaks when she set the pace faded to fourth behind winner Anisette.

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, Ruby Nell is 12: 6-2-2- with $491,520 in earnings.

While Ruby Nell stretches out in distance, stablemate Linda’s Gift shortens up while riding a three-race win streak. Most recently, Linda’s Gift won the GIII Santa Ana at 1 ¼ miles. Her previous wins came going 1 ½ miles in the Astra Stakes Jan. 21 at Santa Anita and 1 3/8 miles in the GIII Red Carpet at Del Mar in November.

Linda’s Gift will have regular rider Tiago Pereira in the irons. A 5-year-old Arrogate mare, she is 13: 5-2-2 with $314,936 in earnings for owners Fred Nicotra, John Cronin, Michael A. Mandara, Vincent Varvaro and Anthony DiMarco.

Anisette will be making her 4-year-old debut for trainer Leonard Powell. Most recently, she won the GI American Oaks at 1 ¼ miles on turf Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. Also last year, the Awtaad filly won the GII San Clemente at Del Mar in addition to the Del Mar Oaks.

Anisette will have regular rider Umberto Rispoli in the irons. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, she is 9: 5-3-0 with $606,871 in earnings. Her record includes three starts and a win in her native England in 2022.

THE GI GAMELY AT SANTA ANITA PARK, WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 11 | Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT

1. Olivia Maralda—Flavien Prat—122
2. Ruby Nell—Edwin Maldonado—124
3. Uncorked—Frankie Dettori—122
4. Nadette—Hector Berrios—122
5. Justique—Antonio Fresu—122
6. Anisette—Umberto Rispoli—126
7. Linda’s Gift—Tiago Pereira—122
8. Yerwanthere—Kazushi Kimura—122
9. Forever After All—Juan Hernandez—122