Bedarra could pose threat to Tribal Belle

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Tribal Belle is nearly unbeaten in sprints and should be tough to catch in Wednesday's $100,000 Ruling Angel Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Tribal Belle's only loss going short came when she lost her rider in the midst of her debut on May 10 at Hastings. She graduated for $8,000 two weeks later and has improved by leaps and bounds since then.

Tribal Belle crushed $80,000 claimers at seven furlongs in her Woodbine debut in July, while registering a Beyer Speed Figure of 85. She flashed speed before fading in each of her August outings, both at 1 1/16 miles.

Tribal Belle took her last two starts on the front end, in a 6 1/2-furlong dash for $80,000 claimers, and in a first-level allowance at seven furlongs.

Trainer Terry Jordan said Tribal Belle has distance limitations.

"I don't think she wants to go too far," said Jordan. "I thought she'd run all day, but we tried her, and she said no." Her limit, Jordan said, "looks like seven-eighths."

Jordan said Tribal Belle didn't require a work heading into Wednesday's engagement.

"She doesn't need to work much," said Jordan. "She's kind of a nervous horse. The last time when she ran, two seagulls flew by her when she was five or six in front, and she tried to jump into the center field. She really hasn't come to her full potential yet."

Jordan believes Bedarra, a filly he trained briefly last fall, will be the main threat to Tribal Belle.

Bedarra, a versatile chestnut trained by Sid Attard, is coming off a victory in a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer on the grass. She has hit the board in three of four starts on the Polytrack, which includes a first-level allowance score in June.

Patrick Husbands inherits the mount on Bedarra from Jim McAleney, who is sticking with Tribal Belle.

Bear Lahaina won each of her two most recent Polytrack races after showing speed. She prevailed by a neck in a six-furlong optional claimer Oct. 12, and trainer Reade Baker said he is concerned with the quick turnaround.

"Ten days is what bothers me," said Baker. "I don't like doing that, but how often am I going to get a 3-year-old open race?"

Victory Romance is shortening up off a fading fourth-place finish in the

1 1/16-mile La Lorgnette Stakes.