DEL MAR, Calif. – Gimme a Nother, a two-time Group 1 winner in South Africa in 2024, will attempt to win for the first time in North America in this Saturday’s Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar.
Considering Gimme a Nother’s game performance in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine on July 20, a second-place finish by a head as the even-money favorite, trainer Graham Motion said over the weekend that he believes she can achieve a breakthrough win.
“I thought she was a little unlucky and ran a good race,” he said.
Owned by Newstead Stables, Gimme a Nother finished second in her first two starts in the United States – the Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in March and the Grade 3 Modesty Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 2.
Gimme a Nother was last of seven in the Grade 1 New York Stakes at Saratoga on June 6, a loss on yielding turf that Motion quickly dismissed.
“She struggled on turf at Saratoga,” he said. “I shouldn’t have run her.”
In South Africa, Gimme a Nother was unbeaten in seven starts, at distances ranging from about 7 1/4 furlongs to about 1 1/8 miles, all on turf.
“She was undefeated until I got my hands on her,” Motion joked. “She a lovely mare.”
The $250,000 Mabee Stakes is run at 1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares.
Based in Maryland, Motion has already had a successful venture to Del Mar this summer, winning the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes for fillies and mares with Heredia on Aug. 9.
Gimme a Nother, a 5-year-old mare by the More than Ready stallion Givemethegreenlight, will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, who through Sunday led the jockey standings at Del Mar. Gimme a Nother’s competition is expected to include Medoro, winner of the restricted Osunitas Stakes on July 20, and Hang the Moon, who won the 2024 Mabee Stakes and was fourth in the Yellow Ribbon.
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