Anisette, Ruby Nell both facing challenges in Gamely

Anisette has not raced since late December when she won her second Grade 1 stakes in the American Oaks at Santa Anita.

Ruby Nell last started on March 3, the day she won her fourth stakes in her last six starts in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita.

The two 4-year-old fillies must return in peak form when they meet as part of a field of nine in Monday’s Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

Ruby Nell, trained by Richard Mandella for Spendthrift Farm, has a defined role in the $300,000 Gamely as the pacesetter. She may not face significant pressure early, which can help her win at the Gamely distance for the first time.

Ruby Nell’s previous stakes wins were in turf sprints or at a mile. She was fourth behind Anisette in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles last August after leading to early stretch.

“I’m interested to see how it goes,” Mandella said of the stamina test. “She either can or she can’t. I think she might pass it.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

“She’ll be in front. She’s pretty strong-minded.”

Anisette typically races off the pace. She will be joined in that position by a strong group of rivals, including the stakes winners Linda’s Gift, Nadette, Olivia Maralda, and Uncorked.

Anisette has been a model of consistency since arriving from Britain in early 2023, winning 4 of 6 starts and never finishing worse than second. She won her American debut in an allowance race on Memorial Day last year in her first start in five months, the only time she has raced following a layoff.

Trainer Leonard Powell admits this situation is different.

“We gave her a good break for the winter and it’s done her well,” he said. “It’s not ideal to come back in a Grade 1 against seasoned fillies and mares.

“Of course, she can win. It won’t be easy. It will be a harder task than last year. Her Grade 1 wins were against straight 3-year-olds and she was in peak form.”

Linda’s Gift, trained by Mandella, has won her last three starts in graded stakes at distances ranging from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles. The Gamely is her first start since a win in the Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

Linda’s Gift stalked the leaders in the Santa Ana, which was run at a slow pace. She will be following stablemate Ruby Nell on Monday.

“The way she handled it last time, she was more professional,” Mandella said. “I’ve given her a nice break. It won’t hurt her to start here.”

Nadette and Justique, another Gamely entrant, were first and second in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf on April 4, both closing from the back of the field.

The Gamely is the American stakes debut for Olivia Maralda, who finished a troubled second in her first start in this country in an allowance race at Keeneland last month.

“It’s obviously a jump in class from what she did at Keeneland,” trainer William Walden said. “We have a couple of questions to answer.”

:: Subscribe to the DRF Post Time Email Newsletter: Get the news you need to play today's races!

Uncorked, in her California debut and first start of 2024, scored a two-length victory over Justique in the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf on April 27, closing from sixth under jockey Frankie Dettori.

“I don’t think an extra eighth of a mile is a problem,” trainer Phil D’Amato said of Uncorked. “It’s a jump in class and there are some nice horses in there. I think I have a filly that is on the improve. Hopefully, we can get a trip.

“The good thing about Frankie is he knows the filly and he knows how to win. He’ll look at the competition and come up with a plan.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.