Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal's Bellstreet Bridie "came off the plane running" Nov. 24 at Del Mar, laying up close early, then firing through the lane in the 1 3/8-mile, $151,500 Red Carpet Stakes (G3T).
The 3-year-old filly by British sire Sir Percy had just shipped in from England earlier this week after the ownership group acquired her for 260,000 guineas (US$311,166) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale out of the Fitzroy House consignment. The filly previously made 12 starts in England, where she compiled a 3-4-3 record and earned US$45,316.
Her victory in the Red Carpet and the $90,000 winner's share of the purse nearly tripled her career earnings.
"They did a terrific job with her overseas after we purchased her, keeping her fit, keeping her ready for this race," said trainer Mark Glatt. "Really, all my job to do was to keep her happy and as strong as we could after a long ship like that. I'm just pleased to get that kind of start with her after spending a good amount of money on her. We got her a grade III now."
Under jockey Flavien Prat, Bellstreet Birdie stopped the timer in 2:15.67 on firm turf and finished 4 1/4 lengths in front of Quattroelle , who is also owned by Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal. Queen Ofthe Temple was third.
"I didn't know much about her; it's my understanding she's only been here (from Europe) for a few days," said Prat. "Mark didn't know much either, so we were even. She jumped (broke) well, and that made me happy; I was able to put her in the race. Sometimes with the European horses they don't come away from there too well. But she was running all the way, and then when it was time she finished up strong."
Bellstreet Bridie paid $10 to win. Quattroelle withstood a rally from Queen Ofthe Temple to grab the place.
Ashbrittle Stud bred Bellstreet Bridie out of the Medaglia d'Oro daughter Mambo Gold . The filly is the fourth foal out of the mare and her first black-type winner. Mambo Gold is out of Mambo Jambo (Kingmambo), who is a full sister to multiple European champion and millionaire Divine Proportions. Mambo Jambo also produced group 1-placed stakes winner Ocean Silk.
Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal also purchased the top seller at the Tattersalls Autumn sale, a No Nay Never stakes winner named I'm A Gambler for 850,000gns (US$1,006,705) from Kingsley Park.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Prat and his first in the Red Carpet. Through Thursday, he now has 81 stakes wins at Del Mar, 10th best all-time among jockeys.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Glatt and his first in the Red Carpet. He now has 13 stakes wins at Del Mar, again through Thursday. The winning owners are California residents Jed and Tim Cohen, who race under the course names Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal.