Bella Luma takes them all the way in Luther Burbank Handicap

Bella Luma ($20.60), the only stakes winner in the field, led even-money favorite Ziarah the whole trip and defeated her by a half-length as the pair ran one-two all the way in the $62,950 Luther Burbank Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Saturday.

Bella Luma was a disappointing sixth in last year's Luther Burbank after having won the Golden Poppy at Golden Gate Fields.

The front-running victory was a change in tactics for the 5-year-old Ministers Wild Cat mare, but wasn't planned said trainer Ed Moger Jr.

“I told [jockey Silvio Amador] just let her be comfortable,” said Moger. “We drew the one-hole, so I knew we'd save some ground. She's just got a nice, long stride.”

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Bella Luma relaxed nicely as Ziarah sat about a length behind while holding a narrow advantage over stablemate Renny's Lady in the early going. The pace was a sensible 23.76 seconds, 49.09, 1:13.41.

The two front-runners began to pull clear at the quarter pole, and Ziarah challenged through the stretch.

“At the sixteenth pole, I wasn't sure who would win,” said Moger.

But Bella Luma had enough in reserve to hold on, winning in 1:43.51.

Trustini, last early, made a good move into the stretch and hung a bit late as she finished third.

The victory was worth $41,450 for owners Fairview, LLC and Linda J. Brown. It was the sixth win in 25 starts for Bella Luma, who has now earned $239,894.