Gamely BC J

Monday’s $300,000 Gamely Breeders’ Cup S. (G1) lacks any true standouts, so
this evenly-matched field of eight turf distaffers presents a real handicapping
challenge. Although the Bobby Frankel-trained ARGENTINA (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells)
has burned a lot of money as the beaten favorite in both of her U.S. starts,
we’ll stick with her because she looked like a serious performer two starts back
in her American debut. That occasion was the Santa Ana H. (G2), at the Gamely
distance of nine furlongs, and the royally bred four-year-old uncorked a furious
late charge for second, beaten just a half-length by the then-hot Silver Cup
(Ire) (Almutawakel [GB]), and earning a BRIS Late Pace figure of 111. We’re
giving her a pass for her last effort when fourth in the 10-furlong Santa
Barbara H. (G2) because her chances were ruined by the lack of early pace. On
Monday, Argentina should benefit from a legitimate pace up front and will come
flying to take the prize. Regular rider Alex Solis will partner her again.

SHINING ENERGY (Rahy) is very interesting in this spot. The Julio Canani
trainee has been visually impressive on occasion, e.g., when landing the San
Clemente H. (G2) at Del Mar last summer (racking up a 109 Late Pace rating) and
most recently the American Beauty H., decisively defeating the grand dame Moscow
Burning (Moscow Ballet). She’s been training sharply since then, and we have an
inkling she might be sitting on a big performance. We know that she has failed
to hit the board in two tries at 1 1/8 miles last year, but whatever happened to
her in those races, we are confident she’ll get the trip. As a two-year-old in
France, she was a second by a neck in a listed race against males over a mile on
soft ground, always testing for juveniles, and that suggests that nine furlongs
on firm turf as a four-year-old shouldn’t be beyond her abilities. Moreover, her
dam won a Grade 3 at 1 3/8 miles and placed in a 1 1/2-mile stakes. Victor
Espinoza will take the reins for the first time.

The admirable TICKER TAPE (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) may not be the same
force she once was in Grade 1 events, but the Jim Cassidy mare remains a solid
campaigner who has been on the board in six of seven career starts at Hollywood.
Earlier this year, she was a close second to the streaky Silver Cup in the 1
1/8-mile San Gorgonio H. (G2), earning a 104 Speed rating. The five-year-old is
exiting a slightly troubled second in the Wilshire H. (G3) over this course,
going down to the promising Heavenly Ransom (Red Ransom), and Ticker Tape can
boost the value of that form here. Jose Valdivia Jr. picks up the mount.

The other Frankel contender, ETERNAL MELODY (NZ) (Shinko King), lost a
heartbreaker last time out in the Santa Barbara, tracking a dawdling pace and
then gaining ground late to fall short by a nose to the loose-on-the-lead SHARP
LISA (Dixieland Band).  Eternal Melody is two-for-two at nine furlongs, and
David Flores has chosen to ride her instead of Ticker Tape. The six-year-old bay
could well round out an all-Frankel exacta, although we have concerns about the
Santa Barbara form. On a similar note, Sharp Lisa will not get the walk in the
park she used to her advantage last time, and she’ll find her work cut out for
her here beneath a returning Corey Nakatani. DANCING EDIE (Moscow Ballet)
figures to dictate on the front end. She’s coming off a tough runner-up effort
in the Fran’s Valentine S. against Cal-breds, finishing ahead of Moscow Burning,
but she proved she belongs in elite company when third in last year’s Del Mar
Oaks (G1). With Tyler Baze in the saddle, she’ll try to go gate to wire and
could get a piece of the purse.

DALICIA (Ger) (Acatenango) was a Group 3 victress in her native land,
defeating multiple Group 1-winning male Soldier Hollow (In the Wings [GB]). She
scored in her second U.S. start for Neil Drysdale in a 10-furlong
allowance/optional claimer at Hollywood. If this were a longer contest, we’d
rate her highly, but we’re a little hesitant about her chances at this shorter
trip. HOLLYWOOD STORY (Wild Rush) is a Grade 1 winner whose three career
victories have come over the main track at Hollywood. She has attempted turf
only once before, posting a creditable third in the 2004 American Invitational
Oaks (G1), but we really don’t know what to expect from her here.