Phil D’Amato’s streaking Charmaine’s Mia, in search of her fourth consecutive graded stakes win, heads a field of nine fillies and mares 3 and up in Monday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. To be contested at 1 1/8 miles on turf, the Gamely, originally held at Hollywood Park, will be run for the 58th time on Monday.
One of three Grade 1 stakes, the Gamely could be the best betting race on a nine-race Memorial Day program, which kicks off with first post time at 1 p.m. PT.
The Richard Baltas-trained Going to Vegas and Brendan Walsh’s French-bred La Signare lend considerable depth to the Gamely, which was won last year by Jonathan Wong’s longshot Keeper Ofthe Stars, who will also suit up for this year’s renewal.
A 2 ½-length winner of the G3, six-furlong turf Las Cienegas Stakes in her first start for D’Amato three races back on Jan. 9, Charmaine’s Mia stretched out to victories going a mile on grass in both the G2 Buena Vista Stakes Feb. 20 and Royal Heroine on April 3. Off as the 3-5 favorite in the Royal Heroine, Charmaine’s Mia was in complete gate to wire control, winning by a half length.
A 5-year-old mare by top sprinter The Factor, Charmaine’s Mia, who had been based at Woodbine Race Course prior to joining D’Amato’s stable late last year, had only been around two turns once prior to winning the Buena Vista in what was her 26th career start.
Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Medallion Racing and Rockin Robin Racing Stables, Charmaine’s Mia, who will be ridden for the third consecutive time by Flavien Prat, has earned three consecutive Beyer Speed Figures of 99, an overall mark of 28-7-4-2 and earnings of $472,976.
Ridden for the first time by Umberto Rispoli and a runaway 3 ¾-length winner of the G3 Santa Ana Stakes at a mile and one quarter on grass March 27, Going to Vegas appears to be in the best form of her career for Baltas and owners Abbondanza Racing, LLC, Medallion Racing and MyRacehorse.
With Rispoli set to ride her back, Going to Vegas, a 4-year-old filly by Goldencents, was claimed for $50,000 nine starts back, seeks her second stakes victory in the Gamely. With an overall mark of 18-4-8-2, she has earnings of $283,751.
Third, beaten 2 ¼ lengths over a yielding turf in the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland April 10, 6-year-old La Signare seeks her first graded stakes win since taking a G3 at 1 1/8 miles on grass at Belmont Park on June 7, 2018. Often close but a winner of just one out of 13 starts since then, La Signare appears to be a dedicated deep closer that would certainly benefit from a lively pace. Owned by Madaket Stables, LLC, Tim and Anna Cambron and Bradley Thoroughbreds, La Signare, who will be ridden for the first time by Mike Smith, is 17-3-2-4 overall with earnings of $345,576.
GRADE 1 GAMELY STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 9 of 9 Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT
- La Signare—Mike Smith—122
- Charmaine’s Mia—Flavien Prat—124
- Raymundos Secret—Mario Gutierrez—124
- Going to Vegas—Umberto Rispoli—122
- Red Lark—Ricardo Gonzalez—124
- Keeper Ofthe Stars—Abel Cedillo—122
- Maxim Rate—Juan Hernandez—124
- Stela Star—Jose Valdivia, Jr.—122
- Bodhicitta—Trevor McCarthy—124
First post time for a nine-race card on Monday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
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