Loaded Santa Anita Program, Featuring Trio of Graded Stakes, Headline Memorial Day Action

[Wandering Eyes]

A trio of graded stakes, led by the GI Gamely S. and GI Shoemaker Mile S., will anchor a stacked Memorial Day holiday program at Santa Anita on Monday.

Making her first start since capturing the GI American Oaks Dec. 26, Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) headlines a deep nine-horse field set for the Gamely. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners colorbearer also captured last term's GI Del Mar Oaks.

Hall of Famer Richard Mandella will be represented by last-out local graded winners Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) (GII Buena Vista S.) and the streaking Linda's Gift (Arrogate) (GIII Santa Ana S.).

The rail-drawn Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a 725,000gns TATDEC purchase by Woodford Thoroughbreds last winter, heads west for trainer Will Walden following a rallying second-place finish while making her U.S. debut in a Keeneland allowance Apr. 20.

Du Jour (Temple City) and Easter (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}), the first two finishers across the line in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. Mar. 3, will meet again in the Shoemaker Mile. The field of 11 also includes returning 2023 GII Del Mar Derby winner Conclude (Collected) and GIII American S. Apr. 4 winner Johannes (Nyquist).

The GII Hollywood Gold Cup will showcase a field of eight, including: GIII Californian S. Apr. 20 one-two-three Mr Fisk (Arrogate), Judge Miller (Curlin) and Mixto (Good Magic); and narrow GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 3 runner-up Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify).

Trainer Chad Brown, meanwhile, will send out an imposing trio, led by unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' and Memories of Silver S. Apr. 28 heroine Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah) as he looks to secure a record-extending sixth victory in the GII Wonder Again S. at Belmont at the Big A.

Monday's graded stakes action is rounded out by the GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. at Lone Star and the GIII Winning Colors S. at Churchill Downs.

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