Top California turf mares meet in Gamely

Black Mamba returns to the distance over which she won the Mabee (Benoit Photos)

MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]) and BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), the
respective one-two finishers in the April 18 Santa Barbara H. (G2), and CashCall
Mile Invitational (G2) heroine DIAMOND DIVA (GB) (Dansili [GB]) highlight a strong field of
11 turf distaffers entered in Saturday’s $250,000
Gamely S.
(G1) at Hollywood Park. Multiple English Group 3 winner and Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Turf (G1) third VISIT (Oasis Dream [GB]) and Grade 1-placed
TOQUE DE QUEDA (GB) (Dansili [GB]), who exits a close third in the Santa
Barbara, add further depth to the 1 1/8-mile affair.

Black Mamba captured the John C. Mabee H. (G1) and Beverly Hills H. (G2) last
season, and the John Sadler-trained mare opened her six-year-old campaign with a
strong late showing in the Santa Barbara, missing by only a nose after swinging
out very wide into the stretch. Magical Fantasy ran extremely well herself, and
the Paddy Gallagher trainee owns plenty of back class, winning the Del Mar Oaks
(G1) by two lengths. Joel Rosario will stay on Black Mamba, and
regular jockey Alex Solis will be up on Magical Affair.

Diamond Diva wrapped up 2008 with a game win over Ventura (Chester House) in
the CashCall Mile in July, and the five-year-old mare returned from the lengthy
layoff with a solid runner-up showing in May 2 Wilshire H. (G3) last out,
missing by only three parts of a length. David Flores will ride again for Jim
Cassidy. Bobby Frankel is responsible for both Visit and Toque de Queda. The
former finished a close third in the Santa Ana H. (G2) two starts back at Santa
Anita, and the latter finished a respectable third when making her U.S. debut in
the Beverly D. (G1) three starts back.