Shirreffs hoping England's Rose can make last run in Gamely

England’s Rose closed with such a strong rally to be third in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on May 1 that trainer John Shirreffs is intrigued by what she might accomplish in Monday’s Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

The $400,000 Gamely will be England’s Rose’s first Grade 1 start, and she could produce a surprise outcome if the 6-year-old mare closes as well as Shirreffs expects.

“That’s what we want her to do,” Shirreffs said. “Early on in her career, she was a little aggressive and that took way from her punch at the end. She’s matured and relaxes much better at the beginning and she has a nice kick at the end.

“We hope the added distance will help.”

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England’s Rose, who races for a partnership that includes West Point Thoroughbreds and Mercedes Stable, will have a new rider for the first time in 16 months in the Gamely. Abel Cedillo will have the mount in place of Victor Espinoza, who is riding at Lone Star Park on Monday.

Shirreffs thought he had Espinoza booked until earlier this week when the Hall of Famer opted to ride in Texas for California trainer John Sadler.

“Abel is certainly a young capable rider,” Shirreffs said.

England’s Rose has won 3 of 11 starts, including the restricted Swingtime Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita last October. In the Wilshire, England’s Rose closed from last of eight to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind winner Canoodling, who is part of the Gamely field.

England’s Rose had her second start of 2022 in the Wilshire, having finished sixth of seven in the Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Jan. 1. She was fifth behind a moderate pace and was not a factor in the stretch.

“We thought she came back really well in the Wilshire,” Shirreffs said. “The Gamely comes up at a nice point in her training. We’re optimistic about it.”

The Gamely field is led by the seven-time stakes winner Going Global, who won her 2022 debut in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf. Other candidates are Eddie’s New Dream, Going to Vegas, Ocean Road and Thrump’s Dream.

Trainer Leonard Powell said on Friday that Neige Blanche, the winner of the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Stkaes at 1 1/2 miles on turf on May 14, may be entered, but is not certain to start.

The Gamely is one of three Grade 1 races on Monday’s program, which includes the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles and the $500,000 Shoemaker Mile on turf.