Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, and Barry Fowler have purchased a minority interest in the Grade 1-winning filly Bella Sofia, it was announced Aug. 24.
The deal was brokered by bloodstock agent Nick Sallusto.
Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot—Love Contract, by Consolidator) stamped herself as one of the top female sprinters on the continent when she stormed away from a talented field to win the seven-furlong $500,000 Longines Test Stakes (G1) by 4 1/2 lengths at Saratoga Aug. 7. She earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for that effort.
Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Bella Sofia has tallied three victories from four starts with earnings of $405,100 to date.
Medallion, Parkland, and Fowler join original owners Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, Mazel Stable Partners, and Matthew Mercurio in campaigning the filly.
“Nick Sallusto and I talked after the filly broke her maiden. I felt she was one to keep an eye on,” said Medallion Racing’s Mark Taylor. “And her Test was a jaw-dropper. She showed freakish talent, and she’s got a sneaky good pedigree. We are grateful for the opportunity to be in on her.”
Sallusto and Hanzly Albina bought Bella Sofia for the original ownership group for $20,000 at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sale’s June auction of 2-year-olds.
The filly was subsequently sent to Sallusto’s Thorostock Training facility in Morristown, Fla., where she was developed into a first-out winner at Belmont Park.
“She was an extremely fluid mover at the breeze-ups before the sale, and was a flawless physical at the barn,” Sallusto noted. “Her talent was obvious from the first time I breezed her at the farm. Rudy Rodriguez has done an excellent job of advancing her talent.”
The Sept. 26 Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) at Belmont is a next possible destination for Bella Sofia, with an eye toward the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
Thorostock Press Release
NYRA Photo, Bella Sofia wins Test Eric Kalet
