Home › STAKES ARTICLES › Grade I › Devil Wears Prada Looking To Strike Once Again in The Gamely

Devil Wears Prada Looking To Strike Once Again in The Gamely

By McDuffy on May 25, 2019

It was two years ago that a then six year old by the name of Devil Wears Prada ( Axeman ) came to Santa Anita and captured this event. Not only did she win, but she set the event record time of 1:45.73.

The Gamely – Grade I Purse $500.000
Santa Anita Park – For Fillies and Mares Three years old and up.
Mile and an Eighth – Turf Course
May 27th, 2019

The now eight year old Chestnut mare is looking to add a second Gr. I Gamely title to her credit, a feat only accomplished so far by Miz Liz ( Dynark Stables) back in 2010/11. This will be the very first season to offer a $500.000 purse prize, so it was interesting to see that only five others offered up the higher nomination fee for this event.

For Devil Wears Prada, the list of Graded victories is quite extensive. For his present owner, his record is one Grade I, Two Grade II, two Grade III and a non graded event. In all, she has earned a purse share in 17 of her twenty Graded starts for trainer Axeman. There is only one word you don’t say too loudly around the barns, and that is Wiley! In three separate attempts to win the Grade I event, She has placed second by a neck, second by a nose, and her most recent was a fourth place finish missing by a length. Being that this is the Memorial Day weekend affair with two other Grade I races happening as well, hopefully this will be a Memorial day to remember if she captures her third Grade I title.

Looking to be spoilers in this event, we can look first to Team 7 Illusions Nancy Broom MoyToy, who finished up last season winning both the Gr. I DMR Oaks and Matriarch. So far this season she has added the Gr. III Santa Ana to her resume, her fourth Graded title in her past six starts. Has been unraced since the end of March, but has been working to stay fit. Factor here.

Two others who have impressive records and will play a role in the outcome should be Sweet Gail ( Sccj Stables ) and By Far Ideal ( Maxmillion Farm ). Sweet Gail earned a 98 SRF figure in her effort in the Wiley when she placed third by a neck, best among this grouping, and ahead of Devil Wears Prada. Does have the returning services of Rosario in the irons, and he has been aboard on her last two events. As for By Far Ideal, she took home the Gr. III Frankel Stakes to close out last season as the even money favorite. She has been in two Grade II events so far this season, with just one third placing for her efforts. Has always been respected at the windows, so could grab a share here.

The two outside runners ( by post position only ) for this event will be Good For Nowt ( Diablo Diablo ) and Easy Time ( Mb Stables ) . Good For Nowt went gate to wire here back in April when she claimed victory in the Gr. III Providencia Stakes. She is the lone three year old in this group, and that is always a dark mark when competing against older. This is her first try, so I personally will wait and see to judge for her next event. With Easy Time, this five year old has two wins and a runner-up finish in three starts on the sod. Won an OpClm25 last August closing out that season, then after a four and a half month layoff, returned and two starts into the season won a Alw63 affair here in February. Her most recent was a runner-up in the Santa Ana Stakes to a late charging runner entered today. Definitely likes to stay close early, so wait and see if she sticks around.