• $300 Sign up bonus

    Use Promo code DRF300

    sign up drf bets

DRF-Logo
Shop 2
DRF-Logo
  • Member Center
  • Account Settings
  • Logout
LOGIN TO DRF REGISTER
  • Live racing
  • Shop2
  • LOGIN TO DRF
    REGISTER
    • Member Center
    • Account Settings
    • Logout
  • DRF Bets
  • Tournaments
  • Harness
  • Breeding
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Shop
  • Customer Service
  • Member Center
  • Acccount Settings
  • Logout
LOGIN TO DRFREGISTER
DRF-Logo

04/14/2002 12:00 AM
Updated on 09/16/2011 8:10AM

Bella Bellucci victorious in Comely Stakes

By David Grening
  • Print
Tweet
Email

JAMAICA, N.Y - Bella Bellucci confirmed her status as a major player for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks with an easy-as-expected, seven-length victory in Sunday's $108,200, Grade 3 at Aqueduct.

Reserved early on in fourth position in the five-horse field, Bella Bellucci gradually moved toward the pace-setting Short Note down the backside and around the turn, collaring that rival approaching the eighth pole and drawing clear with only mild encouragement from Gary Stevens. Bella Bellucci covered the mile in 1:35.50, the fastest time since the Comely was made a mile in 1994. She returned $3.20 as the 3-5 favorite.

Short Note held second, 3 1/2 lengths clear of Nonsuch Bay. Spring Meadow and Salem Willow completed the order of finish. Vesta and Fresh Tracks were scratched.

The victory was the fourth in five career starts for Bella Bellucci, whose lone loss came when she finished third in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. It was her second win this year, coming off a half-length victory in the 6 1/2 furlong Santa Paula Stakes at Santa Anita on March 24.

When she runs in the Kentucky Oaks, Bella Bellucci will be making her first start at nine furlongs and first around two turns. Neither is viewed as obstacles by her connections.

"I just wanted to get two comfortable races into her before the Oaks," said Neil Drysdale, who trains Bella Bellucci for Michael Tabor. "I don't see any distance limitations with her."

Drysdale pointed out that Kurofone, a full-brother to Bella Bellucci, won a 10-furlong stakes on dirt in Japan.

Stevens said he was surprised when he came back and saw the race had been run in fractions of 22.96 seconds, 45.82 and 1:09.76.

"She's very deceptive; she's got a real long, fluid stride," Stevens said. "She felt like they were going in 48. That's absolutely a good feeling to have."

The Oaks promises to be a stellar race with the likes of Take Charge Lady, Tempera, Imperial Gesture, You, Habibti and Belterra all likely to compete.

"Take Charge Lady has been ultra-impressive," Stevens said of the likely Oaks favorite. "I'd put this filly in the same category."

  • Print



Most Popular

  • Stories
  • DRF Products
  1. 1.
    Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 25, 2018
    Posted 04/25/2018 12:36PM
  2. 2.
    Derby Watch: Vino Rosso's connections looking for Derby double
    Posted 04/25/2018 01:26PM
  3. 3.
    Kentucky Derby 2018 point standings
    Posted 02/19/2018 07:08PM
  4. 4.
    Kentucky Oaks field remains in flux
    Posted 04/25/2018 12:16PM
  5. 5.
    Elliott leaving Parx to help build Caribbean track from ground up
    Posted 04/25/2018 11:56AM

  • DRF.com
  • News
  • Entries
  • Results
  • DRF Live
  • DRF TV
  • DRF Bets
  • DRF Tournaments
  • Customer Service
© Daily Racing Form. All rights reserved. | Credits