Bellabel Sees Faces New and Old in Buena Vista

Bellabel  looks to continue her successful return to the races as she faces a large field of 11 that includes familiar faces in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) going one mile at Santa Anita Park March 3.

After racing in Europe at age 2, the daughter of Belardo  saw great success when moved to the United States for the 2022 season. After winning the San Clemente Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar, she earned dual grade 1 placings in the Del Mar Oaks (G1T) and Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.

Missing the entire 2023 season, trainer Phil D'Amato had her ready off a near 16-month layoff when she returned to Santa Anita for the Megahertz Stakes (G3T) Feb. 3. Setting the early pace, Bellabel cruised through easy fractions on the way to a one-length victory.

Video: Megahertz S. (G3T)

It was her fourth win in 10 career starts, and a third win from five starts in the U.S. Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano, Bellabel has earned $364,810 in her career.

Returning Rivals

The Buena Vista serves as a Megahertz reunion as four of her competitors, including the second- through fourth-place finishers, return for another shot.

Augustin Stables' stakes winner Mouffy  was hard to handle for jockey Kazushi Kimura in the Megahertz when stuck behind horses on the rail. Finally allowed to run turning for home, the 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo   battled gamely. While no threat to the winner, Mouffy held off the late charges of both Justique  and Nadette  to finish second, the three separated by only a quarter-length. Mouffy will see Frankie Dettori take the saddle this time.

New Shooters

Those who chased Bellabel throughout the Megahertz will need someone to run with her early, a challenge that may be taken up by Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, Exline-Border Racing, Ocean Reef Racing, and Aaron Kennedy's Kissed by Fire . 

The 4-year-old Maryland-bred daughter of Friesan Fire   saw a three-race win streak snapped Jan. 14 in the Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita. Forced to duel for the lead early, she battled hard but grew tired late and faded to fifth, beaten two lengths. This will be her first start around two turns.

Perhaps the most well-known new shooter would be Spendthrift Farm's graded stakes winner Ruby Nell . Last seen Jan. 27 finishing third in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) in an off-the-pace ride from Frankie Dettori at Gulfstream Park, the 4-year-old daughter of Bolt d'Oro   returns home to Santa Anita where she convincingly won the Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Nov. 5 in front-running fashion at the same distance.

"I probably said too much to Dettori," trainer Richard Mandella said of the Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf. "I was worried about her opening up too much against that type of field. She got off a little slow, then got stuck behind a slower pace than she's used too. I take the blame there."

In the Buena Vista, Edwin Maldonado replaces Dettori aboard Ruby Nell. Maldonado had ridden Ruby Nell in her previous six starts but missed the Pegasus due to a shoulder injury.