Bellera Digs In for Ladies Handicap Victory
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Bellera wins the Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack
Mathis Stables, Madaket Stables, and Doheny Racing Stable's Bellera lost her rider in her eventful stakes debut in November but has come away victorious in two starts since, the Nov. 29 Comely Stakes (G3) and Jan. 19 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack.
In Sunday's $97,800 Ladies Handicap, Todd Pletcher-trained Bellera was bet down to the 1-2 favorite in the field of five. The 4-year-old Bernardini filly ridden by Jose Lezcano led the first quarter-mile of the nine furlongs for older fillies and mares in :25.59, then jockey Reylu Gutierrez rode Nonsensical out to a five-length advantage to run a half-mile in :49.89.
"I wanted the lead, but when (Gutierrez) took off, I had to give my filly a breather," Lezcano said. "I couldn't go head-to-head the whole way around. She settled well and handled the track very well. She's a very nice filly."
Nonsensical was still clear at three-quarters in 1:14.64, but the field closed in on her in the second turn. Bellera passed Nonsensical on the outside, then Lezcano took the rail route and gained the lead in the stretch. Lucky Move advanced from third and challenged Bellera, but Lezcano's filly dug in to keep her rival at bay by three-quarters of a length.
The final time was 1:54.87 on a sloppy (sealed) track.
"She broke real good out of the gate, and she was there the whole time for me," Lezcano said. "When I asked her, she gave me everything she had. She really fought hard in the stretch with (Lucky Move) to go on to win the race."
Pletcher's assistant Byron Hughes was on hand for the win.
"She broke well. She got the lead, and (Nonsensical) overtook the lead down the backside and Jose did a good job of waiting," Hughes said. "I was happy he didn't chase after her. I was glad he rode patiently. I'm glad it all worked out."
Lucky Move stayed on for second, one length over Another Broad in third. Entropia and Nonsensical completed the order of finish.
Minus the Nov. 2 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct, Bellera has never finished worse than second in seven starts, but she was squeezed at the start of that one exception, lost Lezcano, and raced riderless. The filly has earned $264,960 from four wins and a pair of seconds.
Mathis Stables purchased Bellera for $90,000 from Brookdale Sales, agent for breeder Hardacre Farm, at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Bellera was bred in Florida out of the graded stakes-placed Unbridled's Song mare Habiboo, a half sister to grade 1-winning sprinter and sire Street Boss . Habiboo is also the dam of grade 3 winner Life Imitates Art and was last reported bred to Medaglia d'Oro .