Bella Sofia Records First Work of the Year at Belmont

Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, Mazel Stable Partners, Matthew Mercurio, Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds and Barry Fowler's grade 1 winner Bella Sofia  returned to the work tab March 20 at Belmont Park covering three-eighths in :37 over the dirt training track under Trevor McCarthy.

"It was her first three-eighths and she worked very nice," trainer Rudy Rodriguez said. "She galloped out in :52. She looks very good."

The 4-year-old daughter of Awesome Patriot  captured four races in 2021, including two graded stakes. In her fourth outing since breaking her maiden at Belmont in May, she turned in a stylish performance in landing the Longines Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Bella Sofia then defeated older mares and earned a career-high 111 Equibase Speed Figure in taking the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) a Belmont ahead of the Breeders' Cup.

She completed her 3-year-old campaign with a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.

Rodriguez said he is hoping to map a route back to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint this November at Keeneland that will include stops at Belmont and Saratoga.

"We'll be patient with her and let her tell us when she's ready and then we can map out a plan," Rodriguez said. "Our goal is to bring her back to the Breeders' Cup nice and fresh."