Bell's the One Will Not Run in BC Filly and Mare Sprint
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Bell's the One and Neil Pessin at Churchill Downs
Grade 1 winner Bell's the One will not run in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Keeneland according to trainer Neil Pessin.
"She can still train, we've got her in light training she just can't do any fast work for a couple weeks," Pessin said. "We set up for it (Breeders' Cup) the whole year, that was our goal especially with it being at Keeneland."
The 6-year-old mare owned by Lothenbach Stables was third in the race in 2020 at Keeneland which was her only trip to the World Championships.
Bell's the One works at Churchill Downs ahead of the 2020 Breeders' Cup
"I thought I could win it (this year). I had no fear of anybody in it," Pessin said. "There's some nice fillies but I thought mine's pretty nice too and she likes Keeneland. It's her home court.
"It's very disappointing, but I'm doing what's right by her. You don't go into those races at 95%, you go in at 100%... I've always said if she's not at 100% than we don't run. I couldn't have her 100% by race day so it's just bad timing, but it is what it is."
Pessin says that the daughter of Majesticperfection will head to the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Nov. 6 to be offered as a broodmare prospect. She sells as Hip 267 with the Taylor Made Sales Agency.
"We put her in the sale to see what she brings and if she brings enough then we'll sell and if not we'll bring her home and breed her. We're going to sell her as a broodmare prospect no matter what because we already planned on this being her last year," Pessin said.
"We're not sure what the price is yet, but she's going to have to bring a lot of money, and she's worth a lot of money. She's a grade 1 winner, half to a grade 3 winner, half to another stakes horse, second dam is a stakes winner. She's got pedigree, she's got tons of ability and a lot of heart and if she passes that on she'll be a hell of a broodmare."
The most successful horse to go through Pessin's shed row, Bell's the One retires with over $2 million in earnings and multiple wins at the graded stakes level, including the 2020 Derby City Distaff Stakes Presented by Derby City Gaming (G1), 2019 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2), 2021 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2), 2021 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2), and the 2020 Winning Colors Stakes (G3). Pessin has trained the mare for all of her 27 starts.
Bell’s the One wins the 2020 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs
"It's hard to describe because with her it just makes it a pleasure coming to the barn every morning and knowing she's there, watching her train, her personality. She knows she's the queen of the barn and the boss of me," Pessin said.
"It's fun having those types of horses around. When you lead them over, you're confident every time. You know you're going to win. About half the time, I've been right. It's hard to replace those kinds."
Neil Pessin and Bell's the One after winning the 2020 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs
Though he will miss having her in his barn, Pessin says the mare will be a "great mom." When questioned on who he would like to see her paired with, he says he has not given it too much thought but mentioned either Gun Runner or Curlin .
"You always think of the higher-end horses, but I'm not sure...I think she'll pair with anybody," Pessin said. "I think with breeding 70% of it is the mare anyway. She's not one I'm worried about because she's had very low medication her entire life.
"I wouldn't want to be the one who took the foal away from her, because I have a feeling she's going to be a very protective mom...You go to do something with the foal, and she'll be right there on top of you."