No stranger to shipping out west for a major prize, Lady Eli will make her third career appearance at Santa Anita on Saturday when she faces five others in the $300,000 Gamely (G1).
The five-year-old Chad Brown-trained star figures to be a prohibitive favorite in the nine-furlong grass test. Never worse than second in 10 starts, Lady Eli won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over the course in 2014, and last fall missed by a nose as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
For the first time in her career, Lady Eli goes into competition off two consecutive losses. In her season debut, she missed by a head to the streaking Dickinson in the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland following a less-than-ideal trip.
Avenge, beaten a length by Queen’s Trust and Lady Eli in the Filly & Mare Turf following back-to-back wins in the John C. Mabee (G2) and Rodeo Drive (G1), will be the one to catch. Unraced since the Breeders’ Cup, the Richard Mandella charge looks the speed on paper and breaks from post 1 under regular pilot Flavien Prat.
Goodyearforroses, a rallying fifth in the Jenny Wiley, previously won three straight at Santa Anita after joining the Richard Baltas stable. Taking the off-the-turf Robert J. Frankel (G3) in the slop on New Year’s Eve, the five-year-old then reeled off wins in the $79,000 Astra over 1 1/2 miles and the Santa Ana (G2) at nine panels, both on the turf.
The field is rounded out by Grade 2 winner Mokat, second last out in the Royal Heroine (G2); Pretty Girl, second in the Frankel and Santa Ana prior to a fifth in the Royal Heroine; and multiple allowance winner September Stars.
Illuminant, who captured the 2016 Gamely, was only seventh last out in the Jenny Wiley, which might in part explain her presence Saturday in the $200,000 Monrovia (G2) at about 6 1/2 furlongs. Although fourth in last season’s Monrovia, the five-year-old is well-placed after scoring by 1 1/4 lengths in the $77,000 Wishing Well over the course and distance while prepping for the Jenny Wiley.
Her main rival, and possible race favorite, is Enola Gray, the California-bred who is a perfect three-for-three down the hillside course. Also lining up are Brazilian Group 1 winner Juno, a close third in the Royal Heroine, and recent $84,000 Mizdirection one-two Paquita Coqueta and Coniah.
Six males will line up in the $150,000 Daytona, also at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Stormy Liberal enters on a three stakes win streak at the course and distance, while the Grade 3-winning Ambitious Brew again figures as his main rival for top honors.
