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Mandella’s Front-Running Ruby Nell, Reunited With Maldonado, Is In Complete Command In Grade II, $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes
3/3/2024
MANDELLA’S FRONT-RUNNING RUBY NELL, REUNITED WITH MALDONADO, IS IN COMPLETE COMMAND IN GRADE II, $200,000 BUENA VISTA STAKES
ARCADIA, CA (March 3, 2024)—Reunited with Edwin Maldonado following a disappointing run at Gulfstream Park, Richard Mandella’s Ruby Nell was in complete command throughout as she posted a solid gate to wire victory in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes, winning by three quarters of a length while getting one mile over a Santa Anita turf course listed as “good” in 1:35.01.
A dedicated front runner, Ruby Nell made the lead as expected but was very head-strong in the run up the backside, as she pulled at Maldonado who took a short hold while raised up past the half mile pole.
Approaching the three furlong pole, Maldonado dropped his hands and Ruby Nell seemed to relish the prospect of sprinting for home as she enjoyed a 2 ½ length edge over highly regarded Bellabel at the quarter pole and from there, she held off the late charge of Mouffy in a most impressive effort.
Third, beaten 1 ¾ lengths going a mile and one sixteenth in the Grade II Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational on Jan. 27, Ruby Nell was the 4-5 favorite among a field of nine older fillies and mares today and paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.60.
A 4-year-old filly by Bolt d’Oro out of the Not For Love mare Rich Love, Ruby Nell, who is owned by Spendthrift Farm, notched her second graded stakes win and fourth overall added money score, improving her overall race record to 12-6-2-2. With the winner’s share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $491,520.
A close second at one mile on turf in the Gade III Megahertz Stakes here on Feb. 3, the Jonathan Thomas-trained Mouffy, ridden for the first time by Frankie Dettori, took blinkers off today and finished up well at 5-1, returning $5.00 and $3.60.
Another length back in third was French-bred Nadette, who rallied from far back under Hector Berrios. Trained by Neil Drysdale, she was off at 25-1 and paid $6.20 to show while finishing one length in front of Irish-bred Be Your Best.
Fractions on the race were 23.55, 46.88, 1:10.81 and 1:22.57.
Racing resumes with first post time for a nine-race card on Monday at 12:30 p.m. Fans 21 and over will be treated to $3 beers and $5 margaritas.