The Grade I Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita Park is set for Monday, May 26, 2025, featuring a competitive field of nine fillies and mares racing 1 1/8 miles on turf for a $300,000 purse. This prestigious event has drawn top turf specialists from across the country, including several graded stakes winners looking to secure their first Grade I victory.
Race Details
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA
- Distance: 1 1/8 miles (Turf)
- Grade: I
- Purse: $300,000
- Field Size: 9
Field Breakdown
1. Be Your Best (5YO Mare, 124 lbs)
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
- Pedigree: Muhaarar – She’s Best (Galileo)
- Overview: A multiple graded stakes winner, Be Your Best won the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) in January but struggled in the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland. She has a strong front-running style and could dictate the pace.
2. Expensive Queen (4YO Filly, 122 lbs)
- Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
- Trainer: Brendan Walsh
- Pedigree: Lope de Vega – Queen’s Jewel (Pivotal)
- Overview: A European import, Expensive Queen won her North American debut at Keeneland in an allowance race. She has shown a sharp turn of foot and could improve in her second U.S. start.
3. Liguria (5YO Mare, 123 lbs)
- Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- Trainer: Michael McCarthy
- Pedigree: War Front – Lido (Medaglia d’Oro)
- Overview: A Santa Anita local, Liguria won the Buena Vista Stakes (G2) in March and has been consistent in graded stakes company. She has tactical speed and should be in contention late.
4. Public Assembly (4YO Filly, 121 lbs)
- Jockey: Antonio Fresu
- Trainer: Phil D’Amato
- Pedigree: More Than Ready – Assembly Hall (Curlin)
- Overview: A rising star, Public Assembly won the Royal Heroine Stakes (G3) in April at Santa Anita. She has strong closing ability and could be dangerous if the pace is fast.
5. No Show Sammy Jo (5YO Mare, 120 lbs)
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Trainer: Graham Motion
- Pedigree: Lope de Vega – Sammy’s Song (Unbridled’s Song)
- Overview: A consistent turf performer, No Show Sammy Jo finished second in the Long Island Stakes (G3) last year but struggled in her seasonal debut in the Jenny Wiley (G1).
6. Lady Claypoole (5YO Mare, 122 lbs)
- Jockey: Tiago Pereira
- Trainer: Richard Baltas
- Pedigree: Starspangledbanner – Claypoole (Dansili)
- Overview: A three-time winner in the U.S., Lady Claypoole won the Santa Ana Stakes (G3) in March and has been improving with each start.
7. Tirupati (4YO Filly, 121 lbs)
- Jockey: Juan Hernandez
- Trainer: John Sadler
- Pedigree: Dubawi – Sacred River (Frankel)
- Overview: A lightly raced filly, Tirupati finished second in the Buena Vista Stakes (G2) and won the Wilshire Stakes (G3) in March. She has strong European breeding and could be a factor.
8. Bell Wants (4YO Filly, 120 lbs)
- Jockey: Mike Smith
- Trainer: Mark Glatt
- Pedigree: Kingman – Bellissima (Deep Impact)
- Overview: A longshot in the field, Bell Wants has struggled in graded stakes company but could surprise with a strong trip.
9. Vegas Draw (5YO Mare, 120 lbs)
- Jockey: Edwin Maldonado
- Trainer: Doug O’Neill
- Pedigree: Kitten’s Joy – Vegas Baby (Street Cry)
- Overview: A turf specialist, Vegas Draw has been competitive in allowance races but will need a career-best effort to contend.
Race Analysis & Prediction
- Pace Scenario: Expect Be Your Best and Expensive Queen to set the early pace, with Liguria and Public Assembly tracking closely. Tirupati and No Show Sammy Jo may sit mid-pack, while Lady Claypoole and Vegas Draw will likely close late.
- Key Matchup: The battle between Be Your Best and Liguria will be crucial. If Be Your Best can control the pace, she could dominate, but Liguria has the home-track advantage.
- Prediction: Be Your Best has the class and consistency to secure her first Grade I victory, but Liguria could challenge late. Expensive Queen remains a wildcard with her European form.
