Wekeela invades for Gamely Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – Wekeela is the lone out-of-town entrant for Monday’s $300,000 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita. And Wekeela is the filly the locals must fear the most.
Owned by Martin Schwartz, Wekeela was a Group 3 stakes winner in France and second in a Group 1 race there last year when trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. Wekeela joined trainer Chad Brown’s stable over the winter and was second to Tepin in her American debut in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Keeneland on April 16. Tepin was the champion turf female in 2015.
Brown has high expectations for Wekeela this year.
“I thought she ran terrific in the Jenny Wiley,” Brown said. “We think she’s a Breeders’ Cup-caliber horse.”
The Gamely, run at 1 1/8 miles on turf, drew a field of nine but might not have that many starters. Trainer John Sadler said on Friday he is debating whether to start Nancy From Nairobi, the winner of the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes here on May 5, or ship her to New York for a race such as the $500,000 New York Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf for fillies and mares June 10.
KEY CONTENDERS
Wekeela, by Hurricane Run
Last Beyer: 98
◗ Wekeela broke slowly in the Jenny Wiley and closed from eighth in a field of nine to finish five lengths behind Tepin. On May 7, Tepin extended her winning streak to six races in the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.
◗ Wekeela won the Group 3 Prix Chloe for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Chantilly in France last June and was fourth at 34-1 in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera on the weekend of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
◗ In France, Wekeela typically raced from midpack or closer. Brown said a firm turf course at Santa Anita influenced his decision to ship Wekeela to California.
“We thought it was a good spot to try for a Grade 1,” Brown said. “She seems to run better on firm turf. She should appreciate good ground.”
Illuminant, by Quality Road
Last 3 Beyers: 94-94-82
◗ Illuminant won an optional claimer at a mile on turf here March 10 and was third in the Jenny Wiley in her first start in a Grade 1 race.
◗ Trainer Michael McCarthy said the added distance of the Gamely will aid Illuminant, who races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
“I think she’ll like the mile and an eighth, judging from the way she gallops out in her races,” he said. “She’s a more mature filly. She’s better with age. She’s very manageable, and she can sit off the pace.”
Elektrum, by High Chaparral
Last 3 Beyers: 88-91-91
◗ Elektrum is winless in four starts since winning the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar last July. Elektrum was seventh in the Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile May 5 behind stablemate Nancy From Nairobi in her first start of the year.
“She ran a deceptively good race the other day,” Sadler said of Elektrum. “There wasn’t a prep for this race. The mile is a bit short for her. The mile and an eighth is a good progression.”
Nancy From Nairobi, by Sixties Icon
Last 3 Beyers: 96-91-87
◗ She’s in the best form of her career, having won three consecutive races. The Royal Heroine was her first stakes win, preceded by wins in optional claimers.
“She’s an up-and-comer,” Sadler said.
Still, Sadler said he might skip the race with Nancy From Nairobi. Both Elektrum and Nancy From Nairobi are owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis.
“I could run both of them,” Sadler said. “I’m not 100 percent sure what I’ll do.”