Bell's the One Catches Break Even in Winning Colors
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Photo: Coady Photography
Bells the One wins the Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs
A return to dirt led to a return to peak form for Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One in the $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 30.
Freshened after running seventh in the Mardi Gras Stakes Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race, Bell's the One was more at home racing six furlongs on the Churchill main track. Sixth early after a hot opening quarter-mile of :21.28 set by the speedy Break Even, she began to pick up the leaders on the turn under minimal urging from her rider, Corey Lanerie. Though still sixth after a half-mile from Break Even in :44.51, she had gained several lengths on the leader and pace-chasing favorite Mia Mischief.
The stretch was all about Bell's the One. She quickly picked off those in front of her, moving to third by the eighth pole and powering away for a three-length victory over the pacesetter. Mia Mischief, the 4-5 public choice, was another 2 1/2 lengths back in third.
The winning 4-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection sped six furlongs in 1:08.70. She covered her final furlong in :11.94, according to Trakus.
"She is really talented," said Lanerie, who won his second Winning Colors after Sassy Image in 2011. "When she switches leads like that, she has such a strong turn of foot and really finishes strong."
All top three finishers were already accomplished mares heading into the Winning Colors. Bell's the One and Break Even were grade 2 winners and Mia Mischief a grade 1 winner.
Break Even "ran a really solid race," said her trainer, Brad Cox. "She fought hard to the wire but (Bell's the One) just came rolling late to catch us."
Unique Factor was fourth and was followed by Sneaking Out, Spiced Perfection, Princess Causeway, and Take Charge Angel.
With Saturday's victory, Bell's the One avenged a loss to Break Even when the latter handily beat her in the Eight Belles Stakes Presented by Derby City Gaming (G2) last May. One other start from Bell's the One at Churchill last year resulted in a distant second to champion Covfefe in the Sept. 21 Dogwood Stakes, a race from which the latter exited to win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
Following her loss in the Mardi Gras and an earlier fifth-place finish in the La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park Dec. 28, Bell's the One was overlooked in the wagering at odds of 13-1. She returned $28.20 for a $2 win wager.
"This was a really good group of horses," said trainer Neil Pessin. "She's always a big price and never gets the respect she deserves."
Saturday's victory from Bell's the One was reminiscent of her biggest victory of 2019, when she circled the field to win the Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland in October. She also won an allowance race there as a 2-year-old in 2018.
Her affinity for the Keeneland surface could lead to a rewarding year. Keeneland hosts the Breeders' Cup this year Nov. 6-7, a race from which the seven-furlong Filly & Mare Sprint would suit Bell's the One. Keeneland has also rescheduled its seven-furlong Madison Stakes (G1) for July 11 during a five-day summer season that was introduced to offset the spring meet the Lexington track lost due to COVID-19.
Bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones out of the Street Cry mare Street Mate, Bell's the One is among four winners from her dam. A $155,000 purchase by Lothenbach Stables from Brereton Jones' 2017 consignment to The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky sale of select yearlings, she has six wins and two seconds from 12 starts with earnings of $461,240.