Keeper Ofthe Stars gives Wong his first Grade 1 win in Gamely Stakes

The filly Keeper Ofthe Stars is synonymous with the first career graded stakes milestones for trainer Jonathan Wong.

Last October, Keeper Ofthe Stars gave the 31-year-old Wong his first career win in a Grade 3 in the Autumn Miss Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. In February, Keeper Ofthe Stars won the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita, Wong’s first success at that level.

Monday at Santa Anita, Keeper Ofthe Stars gave Wong his first Grade 1 win with an authoritative victory in the $302,500 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

Keeper Ofthe Stars was ridden by Abel Cedillo, who had a memorable day with four victories on the 11-race card.

Wong said Friday that Keeper Ofthe Stars was a contender in the Gamely, if Cedillo could get the 4-year-old filly to settle through the first half of the race. The jockey knows the filly well. The Gamely was the sixth consecutive time Cedillo was aboard Keeper Ofthe Stars.

"She’s very special,” Wong said. “Abel couldn’t have ridden her any better.”

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Cedillo had Keeper Ofthe Stars in a stalking position, behind pacesetter Giza Goddess, through an early pace of 23.22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.22 for a half-mile. Keeper Ofthe Stars was always within 2 1/2 lengths of the front and took command of the race in the final furlong.

Cedillo gave Keeper Ofthe Stars an aggressive ride in the final quarter-mile, striking the filly with the whip a few times before reaching the stretch. Keeper Ofthe Stars ($16.60) led by a half-length with a furlong remaining and finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 14-1 Bodhicitta, who was a nose in front of 8-1 Mucho Unusual.

Owned by Tom and Debbie Stull, Keeper Ofthe Stars ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.43. Keeper Ofthe Stars earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97, which equals her career best.

“She’s better if someone goes to the front and she has a target,” Cedillo said. “This is her best race today.”

Beautiful Lover finished fourth, followed by Lady Prancealot, Giza Goddess, Tiny Tina, Etoile, Simply Breathless, and Siberian Iris. Ollie’s Candy was withdrawn Sunday morning.

Etoile was the 8-5 favorite and had her first start in the United States in the Grade 1 Gamely. She was last into the first turn and was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Keeper Ofthe Stars.

Keeper Ofthe Stars, by Midnight Lute, has won 7 of 15 starts and earned $501,931. The Gamely Stakes was her second appearance in a Grade 1. Last August, Keeper Ofthe Stars was fourth, beaten three lengths, in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks after racing within a head of the lead in the final furlong.