Vasilika keeps rolling with Gamely victory

ARCADIA, Calif. – Vasilika puts a smile on everyone connected with her, but for Nick Gatto, her success is bittersweet, because someone who started the journey with her is no longer here. Vasilika, the best claim to fame in racing in the past year, is owned by a partnership that includes Gatto Racing, whose patriarch, Dan Gatto, Nick’s father, died four months ago.

“It has been an emotional roller coaster,” Nick Gatto said Monday, bravely containing his emotions in the winner’s circle after Vasilika won for the 12th time in her last 13 starts by taking the Grade 1, $501,053 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita.

Asked what Vasilika has meant to him, Gatto replied, “It’s hard to put into words.”

Vasilika has done plenty of talking. Since being claimed for $40,000 in February 2018, she has won 12 times in 14 starts, with seven graded stakes wins, two in Grade 1 company. She earned $300,000 Monday and has now banked more than $1 million since being claimed.

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In the Gamely, Vasilika ($4.20), the favorite, came off the final bend in the four path, reeled in early leader Ahimsa inside the furlong pole, and held off Rymska to win the 1 1/8-mile grass race for females by one length. Rymska finished a half-length in front of third-place Ahimsa, then came, in order, Elysea’s World, Meal Ticket, Streak of Luck, Ollie’s Candy, and Causeforcommotion.

Flavien Prat has been the regular rider for Vasilika, and his familiarity with her and confidence he has in her were cited by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer as instrumental in the victory.

“He didn’t like where she was. He didn’t like her being between horses,” Hollendorfer said. “He dropped back, and got out.”

After that, Vasilika did the rest. She is relentless, and seemingly can win whether stalking the pace or rallying from father back.

“She’s very professional,” Hollendorfer said. “She has a great big turn of foot.”

Vasilika has now won 17 times in 32 starts. When she went to Hollendorfer’s barn after being claimed, she was 5 for 18. He had to win a shake for her, too.

“Lot of luck involved,” Hollendorfer said.

Gatto said he was encouraged that the claim would work out when he phoned Hollendorfer the next day.

“He said she was ‘fabulous,’ which he doesn’t say often,” Gatto said.

After losing her first start for her current connections, Vasilika won eight straight before finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Matriarch last fall at Del Mar. She returned this year to win four straight, the first victory – in the Megahertz -- coming the same weekend Dan Gatto died.

Vasilika, a 5-year-old mare by Skipshot, now has career earnings of $1,358,595.

In addition to Gatto Racing, Vasilika’s owners include Mark Schlaich, Hollendorfer, and George Todaro.