Gardenia Stakes 2014 Contenders & Odds

Las Vegas, NV - Ellis Park Race Course in Henderson, Kentucky will play host to the Grade 3 Gardenia Stakes on Saturday, August 9. Fillies and mares three years old and upward will take to Ellis Park's main track and race one mile searching for the winner's share of the $100,000 purse.

A field of nine older females have been confirmed for the Gardenia - race 8 on Ellis Park's Saturday card. Post time is 4:10 PM. Let's take a brief look into the past performances of all nine entries for this Grade 3 stakes.

2014 Gardenia Stakes Race Favorite Entries

Molly Morgan - Dale Romans trained mare had been terrific the last six months before a somewhat disappointing fifth last time out in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap July 12. She had a nice win in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap by four lengths at 10-1 odds June 14 after a second in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes in May - both results at Churchill Downs after a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream in March. Molly Morgan has 22 career starts with five wins, three seconds and five third place finishes and enters this week looking for a rebound performance. Jesus Lopez Castanon will be in the saddle of the 3-1 morning line favorite and 124 pound highweight from the rail.

Quiet Success - has 19 career starts with four wins, five seconds and four third place finishes but has two wins and two seconds in four starts this year. She enters having finished second in consecutive starts - the minor Iowa Distaff last time out June 27 and the minor Sugar Maple Stakes in April after two Allowance Optional Claiming scores to start her year. Quiet success races in graded stakes company for the first time since 2012 but looks to be in the best form of her career and leaves from post 7 as the 4-1 morning line second choice with Leandro Goncalves in the reins.

Gardenia Stakes 2014 | Remaining Contenders

Frivolous - won her first 2014 start - an Allowance at Keeneland in April and followed that with a good second in the Grade 3 Arlington Matron Stakes in May. She has slumped a tad since - an eleventh last time out in the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap followed a fourth in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap in June. She has 13 career starts for trainer Victoria Oliver with two wins, three seconds and two third place finishes and lines up in post 3 with Miguel Mena aboard the 5-1 third choice.

Livi Makenzie - Ron Moquett pupil has placed in just one of four starts this year - a second last time out in the minor Saylorville Stakes at Prairie meadow June 27. She has four career graded stakes starts and has placed in just one - the 2013 Beaumont Stakes. Livi Makenzie has 26 career starts overall with just five wins, seven seconds and three third place finishes and enters in sketchy form. Didiel Osorio rides the 6-1 third choice from post 3.

Gardenia Stakes betting online at Ellis Park with OffTrackBetting.com

Interest Free - Neil Howard trainee has six starts this year with two wins and two third place finishes - both wins being Allowance Optional Claiming races. She steps into graded stakes company for the first time Saturday after a fourth in her stakes debut - last time out in the minor Sweet and Sassy Stakes at Delaware Park. Brian Joseph Hernandez gets the call from gate 6 at 6-1 odds.

Tapit's World - Kenneth McPeek trained filly has 10 career starts with three wins, three seconds and a third place finish. She is coming off a career worst effort - a twelfth in the Grade 3 Robert G. Dick memorial at Delaware Park July 5 after a sixth in the Grade 3 Early Mint Julep Handicap June 7 and an Allowance Optional Claiming in March. She has yet to place in a stakes race and hopes to get off the schnide Saturday. Chris Landeros has the mount from post 4 at 8-1 odds.

Liberated - Victoria Oliver trained filly has just three wins in 19 career starts and has a win and a third place finish in seven starts this year - that win coming last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming on this track July 25. This after a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming in June and a pair of sixths including the Grade 1 La Troiene Stakes at Churchill Downs in May. Liberated did finish third in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes in 2012 but has been just average since. Juan Saez rides from gate 5 at 10-1 odds.

Ocean Bertie - Bret Calhoun pupil has four wins, eight seconds and three third place finishes in 24 career starts but does have two wins and two seconds in five starts this year - a second last time out followed a Claiming score, a second in a Claiming, a fifth in an Allowance and an Allowance Optional Claiming score. She steps into stakes company for the first time with Jamie Theriot guiding her from the outside post at 10-1 odds.

Lucy's Revenge - will race for just the sixth time but does have three wins in five starts. She started her career with consecutive wins and followed that with a fifth in an Allowance, an Allowance score and a seventh last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Mountaineer July 5. She takes an enormous step up in competition as the longest shot in the field (15-1) with Joseph Berrios aboard.

2014 Gardenia Stakes Entries & Odds

Race 8 on Ellis Park's Saturday card with a Post Time of 4:10 PM.