Bellabel delivers off the bench in the Megahertz (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— Although she’d been away 15 months, Phil D’Amato’s Irish-bred Bellabel proved plenty fit off the bench in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita as she made every pole a winning one en route to a solid one length score. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Bellabel got one mile over a turf course listed as good in 1:36.16.
Breaking from post four in a field of seven older fillies and mares, Bellabel made a comfortable lead and enjoyed a one length advantage, while under restraint, over stablemate Oakhurst into and around the far turn.
Although she tried to lug out with Prat while into the bridle leaving the quarter pole, she was well clear of eventual runner-up Mouffy and was never threatened through the lane in a very impressive performance.
Idle since third in Keeneland’s Grade I, Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Oct. 15, 2022, Bellabel, in her fifth stateside start, was off as the 9-5 favorite and paid $5.80, $3.40 and $3.00.
A 5-year-old mare, Bellabel now has three stakes wins, two of them graded, from her five starts for D’Amato. Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano, Bellabel is now 10-4-2-2 overall. With today’s winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $364,810.
Ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Mouffy was attentive to the pace throughout and proved game late, finishing second by a nose over Justique. The third choice in the race at 2-1, she paid $3.80 and $3.40.
The lone 4-year-old in the field, Justique battled through the lane and prevailed by a neck over longshot Nadette for third money. Ridden by Mike Smith, Justique was off at 10-1 and paid $5.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.86, 48.59, 1:13.19 and 1:24.68.
Both Prat and D’Amato notched their meet-leading sixth stakes wins.
GRADE III, $100,000 MEGAHERTZ STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY QUOTES
FLAVIEN PRAT, BELLABEL, WINNER: “She was fresh and ready to run. We had a great trip and when we turned for home, she had plenty more to give me. I think she’ll go further.”
TRAINER QUOTES
PHIL D’AMATO, BELLABEL, WINNER: “I give credit to my staff especially at Los Alamitos where they prepped her. They did a great job there and just put the finishing touches here.
“I was licking my chops when I saw them open up at the top of the lane by a couple, she kind of showed that old turn of foot. You never know. It’s her first time against older after a long lay off and she showed she still has it.
“Just putting the mileage in them the best you can, keeping them happy and having a good horse all those things combined help trainers out immensely. “
NOTES: The winning owners are Agave Racing Stable, CYBT or Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano.
