May 29, 2016

The history of the now Grade I Gamely Stakes is quite interesting, since it was started in 1939, run once, put on the shelf, then came back in 1968 en route to becoming one of the premier events for older fillies and mares on the grass. Held at its current nine-furlongs, it was renamed after a three-time champion and Hall Of Famer and since then, has produced numerous champions including Susan’s Girl, Wishing Well (dam of Sunday Silence), Estrapade and Hollywood Wildcat, as well as recent winner’s Astra, Precious Kitten and Hard Not To Like. At HRP, it has been a catalyst for huge careers since 2005 when Terminally Pretty was the big winner, with Go For Peace, Storm Queen, Speed Talker, duel winner Miz Liz and even three-year-old Girl Talk winning over a very competitive field last year. While she is not back to defend her title, the field of five assembled does include a trio of sophomores but standing in their way is the biggest mare in the division, the F&M Turf Champion who will be looking to notch her first Grade I win of the season after dominating the turf in 2015.

1-Broomsticks Copy (Four-year-old black filly / Owner-Drabfantasy)

Although not originally destined for great things, Broomsticks Copy shocked the racing world with a big score in the 2014 Juvenile Fillies Turf and continued that amazing turf run with four straight wins to close out 2015, including the First Lady and a return to the BC to score the F&M Turf. Now a four-year-old with that much more experience, she cuts back to a much better distance after failing to menace in the Sheepshead Bay at BEL and on paper, looks to be a cut above everyone else with a pair of excellent workouts at PRX and FG to fall back on.

Analysis-Class of the field should appreciate the shorter distance

Fair Odds-Even

2-Ghost Runner (Three-year-old gray filly / Owner-Pumpkin Racing)

Owner Pumpkin Racing does not have the stable they once had, when they campaigned superstars like Sneaky Plan and Millionaire Heiress, but with Ghost Runner, you get an improving three-year-old who faltered on good ground but should enjoy firm turf and get some outside speed to chase. This might be a little too much for her to handle but in a five-horse field, she might be able to get up for a minor share and if she does, she can enhance her ability as a broodmare with plenty of easier CA-bred races on the horizon.

Analysis-Looks to get some Graded Stakes experience in this small field

Fair Odds-15/1

3-Dragonville (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-Drabfantasy)

For some reason, multiple Grade III winner Dragonville was cut back to a sprint against older males for her last start and with that debacle behind her, she can now focus on being a top-class turf router and return to form here against the best of the division. Excellent on the grass but facing her ultra-tough stablemate, she might be running for second money but will certainly be in the mix early and can turn the tides on her champion rival if she gets the jump on her first at the head of the lane.

Analysis-Solid turf form makes her a contender

Fair Odds-6/1

4-Congratulations (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-Blushing Meadows)

After testing the best of the filly division on dirt in races like the Davona Dale and Grade I Ashland, Congratulations got back to the grass in the Senorita and was a hard-knocking second while beating Juvenile Fillies winner Childe Of Nature, proving that she has the class to contend with the top fillies on the grass. Speed will be her biggest asset going this distance and she could be the type to get out there and lead gate-to-wire but that will be tested on Monday afternoon and if she gets any pace pressure, she might not have enough to outlast her older rivals.

Analysis-Controlling speed needs to handle the distance

Fair Odds-3/1

5-In Z Balance (Four-year-old chestnut filly / Owner-Diablo Diablo)

Minor stakes winner In Z Balance was in behind Broomsticks Copy in both the Endeavour BC and the Grade I Wiley at KEE and with her last running style, will once again be at the mercy of the pace up front and should be the best of the closers down the lane. A fast pace makes her a serious threat for the win and that 100-speed rating at FG certainly jumps off the page but those are all products of the work done on her behalf and placing your faith in others to get her the win is tough, especially with a Grade I win on the line.

Analysis-An outside gate sets her up for a big late kick

Fair Odds-4/1

Overall

Broomsticks Copy was the deserving champion in the F&M Turf division last year after winning the biggest race of them all at KEE and while this year has not been as dominant, she should be able to get back to winning form against this small field, and score the Grade I Gamely before moving over to SAR and WO to continue her season. In Z Balance has closed into her speed at both TAM and KEE and should be charging for a big share yet again, with three-year-old filly Congratulations splitting them after setting all the pace, with eyes on leading everyone gate-to-wire in her return to Grade I competition

Prediction

Win-Broomsticks Copy (Even)

Place-Congratulations (3/1)

Show-In Z Balance (4/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES