Bellafina Speeds to Sorrento Victory
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Photo: BENOIT PHOTO
Bellafina wins the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar
At least five horses seemed intent on getting the lead in the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes (G2) Aug. 5 at Del Mar, but only one filly emerged from the pack.
Kaleem Shah's Bellafina didn't break best and wasn't asked to go all-out by jockey Flavien Prat early in the six-furlong sprint. She was just faster.
After she took control of the race in the backstretch, a few challengers loomed about a length back late in the final turn, but the stretch run was all about the Quality Road filly.
The fractions went in :21.82 and :45.25, and her stride may have shortened a bit late as a result, but she finished the final eighth of a mile unchallenged to complete the distance in 1:10.61 for a 4 1/4-length victory.
"I was (drawn) inside and didn't want to get stuck behind horses, so I let her roll out of there," Prat said. "She's got some speed and she was comfortable. I asked her for her kick on the turn, and she gave it to me."
Bellafina debuted July 4 at odds of 1-2 and finished second to Katieleigh after a stalking trip. Trainer Simon Callaghan added blinkers for the maiden's venture into stakes waters and was rewarded with her speedy performance.
"She showed us in the afternoon what she has been showing us in the morning," Callaghan said. "I actually didn't expect her to be on the lead. I just told Flavien to break and take it from there. I think she's a filly with a big future, and she's just going to keep getting better."
Another maiden, Del Mar May, rallied from seventh to nose out Boujie Girl for second. They were followed by Dragic, Reflect, Stirred, Summerland, Dichotomy, Lady Lucy, and Madison's Quarters. Maidens have won the Sorrento three times in the last 10 years. The other maiden winners were champion filly Champagne Room (2016) and Mi Sueno (2009).
Boujie Girl, who debuted in a maiden claiming race July 26 and sped to a 3 1/2-length victory, made a wide move in the turn and appeared to be a threat to Bellafina momentarily, but she couldn't quite keep up.
Bred in Kentucky by JSM Equine out of the Malibu Moon mare Akron Moon, Bellafina has $128,000 in earnings from her two starts. She was an $800,000 purchase by Shah out of the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.