The Gamely Stakes (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
SA- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
May 26, 2018

Every now and then we run into horses on here who are just a perfect fit for a race track. It’s pretty safe to say that we can add Commanding Faith and SA to that list. The four year old filly came into the race with three wins and three second place results at the track (and 8-1-1-2 at other tracks), but despite that history very few people at the track wanted to give her any kind of support, as she went off as a 65/1 longshot, far and away the longest shot on the board. I’m sure this is the last time we will ever see odds like that on her again, as she impressively came off the pace to pick up the win and extend her great history at SA. Crocker Ggs is the winning trainer, taking the race for the first time. E Maldonado, who has ridden Commanding Faith in 13 of her 17 starts now, is the winning jockey, and its his first time as well. The time of the victory was 1:45.94, the second quickest in the stake’s history. Let’s take a look!

(½ Mile- :47.29)- A steady start was had by all, and after a little bit, the two quickest horses out of the gate were the overwhelming post-time favorite, Good Line, from Mb Stables, as well as Killer Angels, from TwinTowersRacing. These two race side by side until they get to about the start finish line on the first time around, and then Killer Angels appears to be restrained and backs off. Good Line then finds herself a new challenger in the form of Infrastructure, from Our Athletes. It ends up being those two running together around the turn and as they begin the backstretch run. Sandset, from Team 7 Illusions, has moved up to the third spot, running two lengths from the leaders, and Killer Angels was another half length back. Our eventual winner, Commanding Faith, from Crocker Ggs, could see them all in front of her, and had a little under five lengths to make up.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.45)- No real changes in the running order here, as Good Line continued to lead the field. Infrastructure began to crumble a bit late in the backstretch, and dropped back a length. She was still second at this point, but falling into the grip of both Killer Angels and Sandset, who were preparing to go by on each side of her. Commanding Faith was still unhurried, although she did gain a length as they moved into the turn.

(Top of stretch, 1.5F To Go)- The field is much closer together now as Good Line continues to hold the advantage, but that lead had been shrinking, and is less then a length. Both Killer Angels and Sandset were matching strides at this point, with Killer Angels having the preferred lane. They each passed Infrastructure and closed in on the race leader. Making a sweeping move out of the turn to go five wide was Commanding Faith, who effortlessly made this move like a horse that knows this track well. There was still two lengths to make up, but those who bet on her were certainly getting very excited.

(Finish- 1:45.94)- In the stretch, Commanding Faith methodically chipped into the lead, but the rivals did not make it easy. Good Line was trying to hang on and justify being bet down so heavily, but Killer Angels and Sandset completed the pass, but on the outside, Commanding Faith had just a little skip in her step. She’d make the pass for the win in the ending moments of the race, to again flex her muscle at SA! Killer Angels beats out Sandset for 2nd, and Good Line finishes off the board in fourth. Infrastructure was fifth.

About The Winner: Commanding Faith, trained by Crocker Ggs, and ridden to victory by E Maldonado, is a four year old filly by Prudent Commander, and is out of the late Beverly Faith. She was bred in California by Allinthegate as a third quarter two year old, and acquired by Crocker Ggs when she was still unraced back in the September 2016 auction for $45.010. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fourth in 14 starts, all wins coming at SA, and they have all been graded wins. Her career earnings are now $719.680.

Track: Firm
Time: :47¹  1:10²  1:34   1:45⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 259.80
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 3 – 2 Paid 592.60

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES