Gamely runs through Lady Eli

ARCADIA, Calif. – Narrow losses by Lady Eli in her last two starts have stung trainer Chad Brown.

Last November, Lady Eli finished second by a head to Queen’s Trust in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. In the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland in April, Lady Eli was beaten a nose by Dickinson.

Brown expected a win at Keeneland.

“I was very disappointed,” Brown said. “She’d trained so well, and she ran a big race.”

Redemption may arrive at Santa Anita on Saturday when Lady Eli starts as a heavy favorite in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Lady Eli leads a field of six in the $300,000 Gamely Stakes, the top race for females on turf at Santa Anita in the first half of the year.

Owned by Sheep Pond Partners, Lady Eli is one of five stakes winners in the Gamely and is by far the most accomplished. Lady Eli has won six stakes in a 10-race career interrupted by a frightening bout with laminitis in the summer of 2015.

Since returning to racing last summer, Lady Eli has one win in four starts, having taken the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park last October. She has never been worse than second.

Also in the field are Avenge, September Stars, Pretty Girl, Goodyearforroses, and Mokat. Trainer Paddy Gallagher said September Stars, unbeaten in two optional claimers since arriving from England last winter, might scratch from the Gamely.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lady Eli, Divine Park

Last 3 Beyers: 99-104-102

◗ From Brown’s perspective, the Gamely is a good fit for Lady Eli.

“We want to campaign in Grade 1 races only this year,” he said. “Hopefully, she has a championship season.”

The long-term goal for Lady Eli is the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

◗ Brown said the timing of the Gamely and “the likelihood of firm turf at Santa Anita” were the main reasons Lady Eli was sent west for her first California appearance outside of a Breeders’ Cup race. Lady Eli won the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf here in November 2014.

“She’s always run well in two starts at Santa Anita,” Brown said.

◗ Lady Eli drew the outside post in what could be a five-horse field.

◗ Conditions are expected to be ideal on Saturday, with clear skies and temperatures in the 70s.

Avenge, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 103-99-94

◗ Avenge will set the pace in her first start since a third in the BC Filly and Mare Turf. Trained by Richard Mandella for Ramona Bass, Avenge won three consecutive races before the BC Filly and Mare Turf, highlighted by wins in the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at Del Mar last September and the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes here last October.

◗ Mandella knows Avenge will be the target for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard Lady Eli.

“My filly should be on the lead,” Mandella said. “There really isn’t any speed in there.”

◗ In the BC Filly and Mare Turf at 1 1/4 miles, Avenge led by 1 1/2 lengths at the eighth pole in a game performance at 18-1. Flavien Prat was aboard for that race and retains the mount.

Mokat, by Uncle Mo

Last 3 Beyers: 95-54-82

◗ Mokat won the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar last July but is winless in five subsequent starts, all in graded stakes. Trained by Richard Baltas, Mokat was a fast-closing second in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf April 8.

◗ Baltas also starts Goodyearforroses, who was fifth after a wide trip in the Jenny Wiley Stakes. The loss interrupted a streak of three straight stakes wins, including the Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf March 12.