Ruby Nell, who starts in Sunday’s Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita, should be on a two-race winning streak in trainer Richard Mandella’s mind.
After a comprehensive win in the Lady of Shamrock Stakes at a mile on turf on Dec. 31 at Santa Anita, in which she led throughout, Ruby Nell finished a troubled third in her first start outside of California in the Grade 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.
Instead of setting the pace, Ruby Nell raced as a stalker and was briefly in traffic in a field of 11 before finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind multiple stakes winner Didia.
“She didn’t have the best trip,” Mandella said. “I was more worried about getting her to settle and I got her in trouble.
“She can be behind if they’re moving along, but they weren’t moving very fast. I think she ran well to run as strongly as she did. She fits with those kind of fillies.”
Ruby Nell, who races for Spendthrift Farm, is part of a solid field of 11 in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes, the last of four stakes on a Sunday program postponed 24 hours because of weather concerns.
Once again, Ruby Nell may not set the pace due to the presence of the speedy filly Kissed by Fire, but she has shown to be effective as a stalker.
Ruby Nell won the Unzip Me Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in October by following a torrid pace, and was a good fifth, beaten two lengths, in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at a mile on turf on Dec. 3 at Del Mar, closing from eighth in a field of 12.
Edwin Maldonado regains the mount on Ruby Nell. He was her regular rider in the second half of 2023, but did not travel to Florida after sustaining a shoulder injury earlier that month. Frankie Dettori rode Ruby Nell at Gulfstream Park.
In the Buena Vista, Dettori rides Mouffy, who finished a good second to Bellabel in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf Feb. 3. Mouffy closed from fourth of seven to finish a length behind Bellabel, who led throughout.
:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports
Two other leading runners in the Buena Vista are Be Your Best, who was second in the Grade 1 American Oaks on Dec. 26, and Closing Remarks, a four-time graded stakes winner in 2023 who was a disappointing sixth in the Megahertz.
Bellabel was allowed to set a slow pace in the Megahertz, her first start since a third in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in October 2022.
In the Buena Vista, trainer Phil D’Amato envisions Bellabel racing from off the pace, the same style that led to a win in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in July 2022.
“It looks like on paper that she’ll be in more of a stalking position and can pounce when asked,” D’Amato said. “She’s been that way her whole career.
“The last race she was on the lead by default and finished very strong.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.