Bellabel Leads D'Amato Trifecta in San Clemente
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Bellabel wins the San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar
Trainer Phil D'Amato is nearly flawless with Irish-breds in the first three stakes of the young Del Mar meeting. He completed the trifecta in the July 23 San Clemente Stakes (G2T) with Bellabel , Sixteen Arches , and Island of Love . That followed his win in the July 22 Oceanside with Balnikhov and a second in the July 23 Osunitas Stakes with Hamwood Flier .
Of his four hopefuls in the $200,000 San Clemente for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on the turf, Bellabel had been away the longest. In her only start in the United States, she won the Jan. 2 Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Despite the layoff, bettors wisely sent her off as the 3-1 favorite in the field of 12.
When the gate opened, Lady T , coming off a second in the June 12 Summertime Oaks (G2) on the dirt at Santa Anita, went to the front. Tezzaray and Lucky Girl didn't let her get too far ahead, however, and before the field completed the first turn, Lucky Girl ranged up on the outside.
Lady T and Lucky Girl exchanged the lead down the backside, but the real racing began in the stretch. Umberto Rispoli was able to get Bellabel through on the rail, and the filly responded to his urging. She took command to score by two lengths, stopping the timer in 1:35.32 for a mile on firm turf. Sixteen Arches finished second, a neck ahead of Island of Love, who had some trouble but came flying on the outside to complete the D'Amato trifecta.
D'Amato's other runner, Helen's Well, ran eighth.
The stewards posted the inquiry sign concerning fourth-place finisher Lady T and fifth-place finisher Lucky Girl, ultimately disqualifying Lucky Girl from fifth and placing her ninth for interference.
"I had a good run with her today," said Rispoli of Bellabel. "At the top of the stretch, she changed leads on me, and I had to get after her with the stick, but she got it right and ran good."
D'Amato trains his top trio for different interests. The Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano own Bellabel, Michael House owns Sixteen Arches, and R Unicorn Stable campaigns Island of Love. The Benowitz Family Trust had a double on the day, being an owner of Osunitas Stakes winner Avenue de France , trained by Leonard Powell. D'Amato and Rispoli collaborated earlier on the card with Fearless Girl , winner of the third race, an allowance optional claimer on the turf.
Fergus Cousins bred Bellabel, a daughter of Belardo —Fashion Line , by Cape Cross(IRE) . As a yearling, she sold for the equivalent of $40,107 to BBA Ireland from the Ballybin Stud consignment to the 2020 Tattersalls Ireland Flat Foal & Breeding Stock Sale.
At 2 in Ireland, Bellabel started five times, winning in her final start at Naas last September. She then joined D'Amato's stable and won the one-mile Blue Norther. Because of her 2-year-old campaign, the trainer decided to turn her out and give her a breather.
"We gave her time, like a 30-to-45-day break, and brought her back in and pointed her for this race," D'Amato said. "This had been our plan all along."
The Aug. 20 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) at 1 1/8 miles on turf would be the likely next target for Bellabel.