Anisette scoring the American Oaks Dec. 26. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Santa Anita Stable Notes
After Anisette bagged her second Grade I win of 2023 in the American Oaks Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, she was sent to Sunshine Farm in nearby Bradbury for 60-days of rest and relaxation.
Anisette’s break officially came to an end April 8 when she had her first work of the year at Santa Anita. She’s breezed every week since for trainer Leonard Powell. On Monday, Anisette makes her much-anticipated 4-year-old bow as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the GI Gamely for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
“We gave her a small vacation that was much deserved,” Powell said Saturday morning. “She’s come back as good, if not better, than before.”
Anisette may need to be better-than-ever to add another Grade I win to the resume. This year’s edition of the Gamely attracted a standout cast of turf distaffers. Four of Anisette’s rivals enter fresh off graded stakes wins, including both Ruby Nell and Linda’s Gift for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.
In addition, two eastern invaders have come west to Grade I hunt. Olivia Maralda, who was Group 2-placed in England, makes her second U.S. start for trainer William Walden. Olivia Maralda will have top jockey Flavien Prat in the irons. Also, Forever After All made the trip from Kentucky for trainer Brendan Walsh. The 5-year-old Connect mare will have Juan Hernandez aboard, who is a five-time leading rider at Santa Anita.
As for Powell, he is acutely aware of the task facing Anisette following a five-month layoff, but also confident.
“She’s fired fresh before, but this is a Grade I. It’s different circumstances,” Powell noted. “There are some really seasoned performers. But while she’s up against it from that standpoint, she’s up to the challenge.”
Anisette, who also won last year’s GI Del Mar Oaks, will have regular rider Umberto Rispoli in the irons.
Powell’s other stakes starter this holiday weekend is Air Force Red. The 6-year-old ridgling by Air Force Blue is entered in both Sunday’s GIII Daytona sprinting on the hillside turf course and the GI Shoemaker Mile on Monday.
Powell said Air Force Red is most likely to go for the big prize in the Shoemaker Mile.
“He’s doing extremely well. Best form of his career,” Powell said.
The Gamely goes as the ninth race on an outstanding 11-race Memorial Day card, which also includes the GII Hollywood Gold Cup in addition to the Shoemaker Mile. Post time for the Gamely is approximately 5 p.m. PT.
