Ruby Nell, a daughter of Bolt d’Oro and trained by Richard Mandella, led wire-to-wire to secure her second graded-stakes win in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, showcasing her resilience and adaptability across different racing styles and conditions.
‣ Ruby Nell, a daughter of Bolt d’Oro, impressively won the GII Buena Vista S. at Santa Anita, demonstrating her strength and resilience by leading wire-to-wire as the 4-5 favorite, under the guidance of jockey Edwin Maldonado.
‣ After a noteworthy performance in Florida at the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational, where she finished third, Ruby Nell returned to California and successfully adapted back to her preferred racing style, showcasing her versatility and competitive spirit.
‣ Ruby Nell’s pedigree and auction history highlight her value and potential, with Spendthrift Farm securing her for $1,200,000 as a 2-year-old after an initial purchase price of $85,000 as a yearling, underscoring her significant development and the high expectations surrounding her racing career.
RUBY NELL ($3.60) DOES IT AGAIN!!
She lead wire-to-wire in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2) at @santaanitapark. The daughter of Bolt d'Oro was trained by Richard Mandella with @MaldonadoJockey in the irons! Congrats to owners – @spendthriftfarm! pic.twitter.com/A2vK68enzj
— TVG (@TVG) March 4, 2024
Ruby Nell, that gal from Bolt d’Oro’s lineage, did what many dream of after a Florida vacay—came back all zesty and ready to dive into work. And oh boy, did she dive. Straight back into the hustle, she dazzled everyone as the hot favorite in the GII Buena Vista S. at Santa Anita, leaving competitors in her dust.
Shipped East by her trainer, Richard Mandella, for the Pegasus weekend, she showed off her versatility. Normally a front-runner, she switched it up, coming from behind and snagged a third place. Just 1 3/4 lengths shy in the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational on January 27. Not too shabby, huh?
Back in Cali on a sunny Sunday, it was business as usual. Jockey Edwin Maldonado, back in the saddle after Frankie Dettori’s stint in Florida, had his hands full. Ruby Nell was raring to go, pushing the pace right from the get-go. They led, unchallenged through the early fractions, with a comfortable gap before the final stretch.
“I just let her do her thing,” Maldonado shared post-race. He knew better than to argue with a mare set in her ways. “She’s gonna have it her way, no matter what,” he added, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Mandella chimed in, reflecting on the challenges of the past weeks. “Training’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” he admitted. But he couldn’t hide his pride in Ruby’s performance, overcoming the odds with her fiery spirit.
Now, let’s talk pedigree because, wow, did Spendthrift Farm hit the jackpot with Ruby Nell. Snapping her up as a 2-year-old for a cool $1.2 million after a modest $85,000 yearling bid at Keeneland in 2021. She’s one of Bolt d’Oro’s ten stakes winners, proving that good genes really do run in the family.
Her dam, Rich Love, a Not For Love mare, also made waves in the auction ring, fetching $500,000 from Fast Fillies. With five winners from five starters, Rich Love’s proving to be quite the producer. And let’s not forget her ties to MSW/GSP Concealed Identity and SW/GSP Peach of a Gal. After back-to-back foals by Good Magic, she’s now paired with Curlin for a 2024 foal. Talk about a lineage!
RUBY NELL DOES IT AGAIN!! Leading from start to finish in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The Bolt d’Oro daughter, expertly trained by Richard Mandella and piloted by Edwin Maldonado, made her team at Spendthrift Farm proud. Congrats are in order!
Sunday’s showdown at Santa Anita Park was one for the books. The Buena Vista S.-GII, with a purse of $202,000, saw Ruby Nell, a 4-year-old filly by Bolt d’Oro, clinch victory. Her pedigree shines through, with a lineage boasting success at every turn. With a lifetime record now standing at 12-6-2-2 and earnings of $491,520, she’s not just a winner on the track. She’s a testament to the legacy of her sire and dam. Mouffy and Nadette rounded out the top three, in a race that was nothing short of thrilling.
