Vasilika Takes on Tough Rivals in Gamely

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Vasilika Takes on Tough Rivals in Gamely
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Vasilika wins the Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita Park

One of the most productive claims in recent history, Vasilika heads a field of eight fillies and mares in the $500,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) May 27 at Santa Anita Park.

A facile 2 3/4-length winner of the one-mile Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T) April 6 at the Southern California track, Vasilika, who was claimed for $40,000 14 starts back on Feb. 11, 2018, has won 11 out of her 13 starts for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. That tally includes six graded stakes, among them the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T) in September, for All Schlaich Stables, Hollendorfer, Gatto Racing, and George Todaro.

The 5-year-old mare by Skipshot  is adept at exploiting a fast pace from behind or stalking it under regular rider Flavien Prat, who will be aboard for the 13th consecutive time in Monday's 1 1/8-mile test. With a remarkable overall record of 16-4-3 from 31 starts, Vasilika has earnings of $1,058,595.

Although the Hollendorfer trainee looms a standout, she'll face several who enter the Gamely in high form, including Chad Brown's French-bred Rymska and the Richard Baltas-trained Elysea's World.

Rymska, who races for Elayne Stables, Long Lake Stable, Madaket Stables, Team Hanley, and Tom Coleman, has won four graded stakes since she joined Brown's New York stable 10 starts back. The 5-year-old Le Havre mare was a close second last out in the April 13 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) going 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland lawn. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount for the eighth consecutive time.

Four-time graded stakes winner Elysea's World comes off a victory as the 2-1 favorite in the March 30 Santa Ana Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/4 miles on the Santa Anita lawn. Drayden Van Dyke, aboard for that win, rides back Monday for Baltas and owners Abbondanza Racing, Heider Family Stables, Madaket Stables, Christopher Dunn, and Jerry McClanahan. 

A 6-year-old daughter of Champs Elysees, Elysea's World is one of several Gamely entrants that would benefit from a fast pace. Originally conditioned by Brown, she'll be making her third start for Baltas. 


Entries: Gamely S. (G1T)

Santa Anita Park, Monday, May 27, 2019, Race 7

  • Grade IT
  • 1 1/8m
  • Turf
  • $500,000
  • 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
  • 4:03 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Rymska (FR) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 123 Chad C. Brown 5/2
2 2Ollie's Candy (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Joel Rosario 121 John W. Sadler 4/1
3 3Meal Ticket (FL) Florent Geroux 121 Matthew Chew 20/1
4 4Vasilika (KY) Flavien Prat 123 Jerry Hollendorfer 8/5
5 5Ahimsa (KY) Brice Blanc 121 Peter Eurton 12/1
6 6Streak of Luck (CA) Mike E. Smith 121 Matthew Chew 15/1
7 7Elysea's World (IRE)Keeneland Sales Graduate Drayden Van Dyke 121 Richard Baltas 6/1
8 8Causeforcommotion (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Geovanni Franco 121 J. Eric Kruljac 8/1