Gamely BC

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.