Ward Saddles the Trio to Beat in Mamzelle
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Wink wins the Melody of Colors Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Wesley Ward, fresh off securing a seventh leading trainer title from the 2021 Keeneland Spring Meet, saddles a trio of speedy sophomore fillies in the May 8 Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs. While all three fillies are stakes winners sprinting on the grass, the Ward runner with the most recent form is Stonestreet Stables' Wink .
The daughter of Midshipman scorched the Mamzelle distance of five furlongs in :55.26 in front-running fashion when landing the March 20 Melody of Colors Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf in her 3-year-old debut. Prior to that effort, Wink had led nearly all the way in her first two starts as a juvenile, including the Aug. 20 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park. The only botch on her record came when the chestnut shipped overseas for the Prix d'Arenberg (G3), where she settled for second, a length behind the winner.
Video: Melody of Colors S. (BT)
James Graham will take the reins on Wink from post 4.
Ward's other two entries are coming off considerable layoffs. The No Nay Never filly Amanzi Yimpilo hasn't seen the post since gamely capturing the Sept. 26 Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita Park over male rivals to cap her 2-for-3 juvenile campaign, and the Irish-bred Illegal Smile scored her sole victory last time out when annexing the Nov. 7 Stewart Manor Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Ricardo Santana Jr. has the call on Amanzi Yimpilo from post 7 and Illegal Smile breaks from the 3 hole with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.