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, 2025

In a field that featured the likes of Painville and Techfluence High, it was easy to look past Lonestar Annie. The five-year-old mare was making just her second start on the grass, and even though she had a strong work in preparation of the race, others were simply going to be more appealing. Nonetheless, she still went off at 8/1, so while not a top choice, her odds were not astronomical, and she was not the longest shot on the board. It’s been close to two years for the last time she failed to finish in the top three, but this was the test of her life. Lonestar Annie was game for the Gamely and came from the near the back to win by half a length. Alydar Stables is her trainer and M E Smith was aboard. For each, it is their first Gamely win. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:45.63, the fourth quickest in the race’s SA history. Here’s a look at it:

(½ Mile- :47.15)- After a brief battle with Painville, the early lead will go to Superface Party, trained by Mb Stables, and she’ll lead by about a length after a half mile. Mo Mentum Farm’s Painville is the second-place horse, a length and a half in front of stablemate Bronze Mooka Party as well as The Sidley Stud’s Ginger Lucy. Our eventual winner from Alydar Stables, Lonestar Annie, is fifth, and she runs in the third lane down the backstretch. 2024 Gamely winner, Techfluence High (The Sidley Stud) trails the field.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.69)- The field reaches the top of the turn with little change in how the race had looked. Superface Party is still at the front of the field with Painville, and it is now three wide behind them. Bronze Mooka Party and Ginger Lucy hold their positions, but are joined now by Lonestar Annie, who’s in a good position to make the run around the turn. Techfluence High can see them all in front of her.

(Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- About midway into the turn, Lonestar Annie would complete the pass for both Bronze Mooka Party and Ginger Lucy and could now set her sights on the two in front of her. Superface Party was now about a length in front of Painville and looking to become the third straight wire to wire winner on the day here at SA. Painville was not looking like her normal strong self. At the back, Techfluence High was also putting together a disappointing effort.

(Finish- 1:45.63)- With a furlong to go, and after getting by Painville with minimal trouble, Lonestar Annie was now running evenly with Superface Party. From that point, she would outkick her all the way to the finish as she goes on to win by a length, proving she can continue to be a consistent finisher no matter how good the competition is. In a photo for place, the better party is Superface Party, over Bronze Mooka Party. Ginger Lucy is fourth while the top two choices on the board are at the back, Painville then Techfluence High.

About The Winner- Lonestar Annie, trained by Alydar Stables and ridden to victory by M E Smith, is a five-year-old mare by Con Artist and is out of Arc de Autorite. She was bred in Florida as a second quarter two-year-old by Alydar Stables, the only trainer for which she has ever known. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her eighth in 22 starts, her third stake win and first graded win. Her career earnings are now $560.190.

Track: Firm
Time: :47  1:10³  1:34  1:45³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 4 Paid 159.00
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 4 – 1 Paid 1,686.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES