Mandella makes rare Gulfstream appearance with Ruby Nell

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – When Ruby Nell runs in Saturday’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf it will represent the first starter at Gulfstream Park for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella since March 10, 2001 when Shutup and Dance won the Candy Eclair Stakes.

Much like that filly, who went gate to wire in that six-furlong overnight stakes, Ruby Nell is a speed filly who has won three of her last four starts, including the Lady of Shamrock Stakes on Dec. 31 at Santa Anita.

“She’s got some extreme talent,” said Mandella, who had to scratch Omaha Beach out of the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Invitational here two days before the race due to injury. “She’s gone through a little bit of learning as we went on. The real talent’s there, she knows enough of what she’s doing now to try this.”

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Ruby Nell’s lone loss in her last four starts came in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar, where she was eighth early on, and finished fifth, two lengths behind Surge Capacity.

“I wanted to try and rate her a little bit, it ended up she got further back than I planned after being 10 in front the time before,” Mandella said. “She didn’t run a bad race at all; with a little bit of adjustment it should put her in the picture.”

Though there is other speed in the field, Mandella expects Ruby Nell to be on the lead under Frankie Dettori.

“I know there’s a couple of other speed fillies in there, I would think you would realize if you hook her, you’re not going to help yourself,” Mandella said.

◗ There will be a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 on Sunday. The carryover pool, entering Wednesday’s program was $594,282.

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