Anisette adds another Grade 1 with Gamely victory

ARCADIA, Calif. – Knowing what Anisette accomplished in 2023, jockey Umberto Rispoli took a bold approach to the 4-year-old filly’s 2024 debut in Monday’s Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

“I had to ride her like she was the best filly in the race,” Rispoli said.

Anisette rewarded Rispoli’s confidence.

Rispoli had Anisette in a stalking position on the backstretch, well-positioned for the final half-mile. With a three-wide rally on the turn and in early stretch, Anisette quickened through the final furlong to take the lead late, winning by a half-length over a game Kentucky shipper in Olivia Maralda.

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The $301,500 Gamely was Anisette’s third Grade 1 win on turf in as many starts in races at that level for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Leonard Powell. With Rispoli aboard, Anisette won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles last August, and the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita last December.

Anisette ($7.60) ran the 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.90 and earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure.

“It was a good race for her comeback off a layoff,” Rispoli said.

“When I passed the leaders and took off, she got in front and started to wait for the other horses,” Rispoli said. “I said, ‘No, you don’t do that today.’ I think it was a great effort.”

Anisette stalked the clear pacesetter, 5-2 favorite Ruby Nell, through an early pace of 24.09 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, and 47.57 for a half-mile, trailing by more than seven lengths. The difference was less than four lengths at the end of the backstretch and steadily declined through the last quarter-mile.

Olivia Maralda (5-1) was third on the backstretch under jockey Flavien Prat and dueled briefly with Anisette for the lead in the final furlong. The Gamely was Olivia Maralda’s American stakes debut in her second start in the country for trainer William Walden.

“When Anisette went by, she fought back,” Prat said. “For her second start in the [United] States, it was a good one.”

Forever After All (19-1) closed from sixth to finish third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. She was followed by Nadette, Linda’s Gift, Ruby Nell, Justique, and Uncorked.

Ruby Nell had her first start in the Gamely since a win in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita on March 3.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Ruby Nell led by as many as five lengths and had a narrow advantage with a furlong remaining before fading rapidly. She was beaten 3 3/4 lengths, leaving Maldonado surprised at the loss.

“She relaxed beautifully for me,” Maldonado said. “To go in 24, it’s a miracle.”

Anisette, a 4-year-old English-bred filly by the Cape Cross stallion Awtaad, has won 6 of 10 starts and earned $786,871. Aside from the three Grade 1 wins, Anisette won her stakes debut in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar last July.

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