Anisette Returns a Winner in Santa Anita's Gamely

Not seen since taking the GI American Oaks last December, Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) kicked off her 4-year-old campaign on a winning note, taking the GI Gamely S. on Santa Anita's Memorial Day card Monday. Allowed to settle well off the pace as 5-2 favorite Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) opened up on the field through a :24.09 opening quarter, Anisette continued to bide her time through a :47.57 half mile. With the field closing in on the weakening frontrunner approaching the final turn, the slight 5-2 second choice swept into the stretch four wide, powered to the front midstretch and proved best, scoring by a half-length over 5-1 shot Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac GB}). Forever After All (Connect) was up for third.

“When I passed the leaders ahead and took off, she got in front and started to wait for the other horses. I said,' No, you don't do that today,' said winning rider Umberto Rispoli. “When she felt that other filly come aside to her she just kept on going. I think it was a great effort. My thought was to get a good break, because once you break on the dirt it could get tricky, most of the horses they stumble. We were a little bit crowed but I had to ride her like she was the best filly in the race. I had a dream trip.”

Ruby Nell was allowed to take control as Linda's Gift and Olivia Maralda took up chase with Anisette an unhurried fourth rounding the first turn. The GII Buena Vista S. winner opened up by five lengths down the backstretch as the tempo began to quicken rounding the far turn. With Ruby Nell's advantage dwindling down to only two lengths straightening for home, Anisette took aim as Olivia Maralda kept pace with the oncoming favorite while the pacesetter began her retreat. Despite her rival's best effort, however, Anisette proved best on the day, winning under a drive.

“I was very happy with the first part of the race,” explained winning trainer Leonard Powell. “I got a bit worried when Ruby Nell got the separation with the field, but I was very happy that the field caught up with Ruby Nell early.”

“I could see that Umberto was biding his time and he had a lot of confidence in her, and she got the job done. At the quarter pole, I thought if she makes it, she is a champion.”

Posting a single victory in the U.K. during her juvenile season, Anisette launched her U.S. campaign with a trio of wins, including Del Mar's GII San Clemente S. over a mile and the nine-furlong GI Del Mar Oaks last August. Having to play bridesmaid to Didia in Santa Anita's GII Rodeo Drive S. over 10 panels Oct. 7, the dark bay was second to Ruby Nell when dropping back to a mile for the Nov. 5 GIII Autumn Miss S.

“I went to see her after she was on rest, and she looked like she had gained weight,” said Rispoli, who later added a win with Johannes (Nyquist) in the GI Shoemaker S. on Monday's Memorial Day card. “She is tiny, but you could see that she gained some of the weight. I think it was a very good work from Leo and the barn to get her ready for a Grade I after coming back off a layoff and at a mile an eighth. I don't really think it was the distance she likes, but I think she won because she is much the best filly.”

When asked about her preferred distance, he added, “It's hard to say because I really like her going at a mile because if they get away from you, she can have a really good turn of foot.”

Pedigree Notes:
In addition to G1 Prix d'Ispahan scorer Anmaat (Ire), she is one of two Grade I/Group winners for the stallion. Anisette, a 26,000gns purchase for Avenue Bloodstock at the Tattersalls September Yearling sale in 2021, is out of Tutti Frutti, herself a half-sister to G1 Nassau S. heroine Sultanina (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The mare is also responsible for an unraced juvenile filly by Make Believe (GB) (Glamorous Marlene {Ire}) in addition to a yearling colt by Magna Grecia (Ire).

ANISETTE!

#6 Anisette won the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita under @umbyrispoli for @Leopowellracing. This is her third Grade 1 victory.

Olivia Maralda second, Forever After All third. pic.twitter.com/jMlKRnfVky

— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 28, 2024

Monday, Santa Anita
GAMELY S.-GI, $301,500, Santa Anita, 5-27, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8mT, 1:46.90, fm.
1–ANISETTE (GB), 126, f, 4, by Awtaad (Ire)
                1st Dam: Tutti Frutti (GB), by Teofilo (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Soft Centre (GB), by Zafonic
                3rd Dam: Foodbroker Fancy (Ire), by Halling
(26,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred
Partners; B-Morera Partnership (GB); T-Leonard Powell;
J-Umberto Rispoli. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 10-6-3-0,
$786,871. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Olivia Maralda (Ire), 122, f, 4, by Kodiac (GB)
                1st Dam: Yajala (GB) (SP-Ity), by Fasliyev
                2nd Dam: Desacara (GB), by Arctic Tern
                3rd Dam: Do You Miss Me, by El Gran Senor
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (460,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE; 725,000gns
3yo '23 TATMA). O-Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Tally Ho
Stud (IRE); T-William Walden. $60,000.
3–Forever After All, 122, m, 5, by Connect
                1st Dam: Julia Tuttle (SW & GSP, $188,051),
                                by Giant's Causeway
                2nd Dam: Candy Cane (Arg), by Ride the Rails
                3rd Dam: Candy Girl (Arg), by Candy Stripes
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($290,000 RNA
Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Brendan P.
Walsh. $36,000.
Margins: HF, 1, HF. Odds: 2.80, 5.90, 17.00.
Also Ran: Nadette (Fr), Linda's Gift, Ruby Nell, Justique, Uncorked (Aus). Scratched: Yerwanthere (Ire).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.