Ruby Nell Soars to Buena Vista Victory
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Ruby Nell wins the Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita Park
A Santa Anita Park homecoming allowed Spendthrift Farm's Ruby Nell to return to her winning ways as she soared to victory in the $202,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) March 3.
Last seen Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T), Ruby Nell did not take her customary position on the lead which led to traffic issues around the far turn. Staying even down the lane, the 4-year-old daughter of Bolt d'Oro would finish third behind race winner Didia .
Trainer Richard Mandella felt responsible for the performance, afraid he gave too many instructions to jockey Frankie Dettori.
"I was worried about her opening up too much against that type of field," Mandella said. "I take the blame there."
Reunited with regular jockey Edwin Maldonado, who missed the Pegasus with a shoulder injury, Ruby Nell's game plan was corrected in the Buena Vista and she was allowed to run as she pleased.
Breaking well from the middle of a nine-horse field, Ruby Nell inherited the lead, a task made easier due to the morning scratch of expected pace-challenger Kissed by Fire . Frontrunning Megahertz Stakes (G3T) winner Bellabel was happy to take back and stalk in second.
Maldonado made sure to not get in his filly's way as they cruised through fractions of :23.55, :46.88, and 1:10.81 while opening a four length lead after a half-mile.
"I just let her do her thing," Maldonado said. "Even if you fight her, she's going to do it her way, so I just let her do her thing."
Given a slight breather as they entered the far turn, Ruby Nell swung for home still over two lengths clear of Bellabel. Mouffy , who without blinkers was much more relaxed than she was when second Feb. 3 in the Megahertz, came with a strong rally and inched closer with every stride.
Despite the shrinking margin, Ruby Nell's victory never looked in doubt as her early foot allowed a big enough cushion to hold off Mouffy by a three-quarters of a length. The mile was completed in 1:35.01 over a course rated good. Nadette came flying from as far back as 12 lengths to finish third.
Ruby Nell paid $3.60 as the favorite for her second graded stakes victory, having previously won the Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Nov. 5. Her career record is now 6-2-2 from 12 starts for earnings of $491,520.
Rain pushed the Buena Vista back a day, and has also played a heavy impact on the training schedule of California horses since the start of the new year.
"I never had a doubt that Ruby would win," Mandella said after his fourth Buena Vista victory. "The training schedule on all these horses the last couple weeks has been difficult. I'm very proud she handled it as well as she did."
Bred by Solana Beach Sales, Ruby Nell was purchased by Spendthrift for $1.2 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training sale.