Bella Mia the one to catch in Barbara Shinpoch Stakes

Bella Mia broke on top and never looked back when she won the $49,500 Angie C, the first stakes race for 2-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs this year. Leading trainer Blaine Wright is hoping for a similar performance in the $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch on Saturday. The six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies drew nine horses, and there is no doubt that the race goes through Bella Mia.

Following four Saturday evening cards, Emerald returns to the usual 2 p.m. Pacific post time for the first of nine races.

Bella Mia will be going for the hat trick, and she used her substantial speed to win a maiden special weight race going five furlongs in her second start July 1. In her debut, she broke okay from the rail, but as is common with young horses, she seemed a bit intimidated early and wound up fourth.

Wright is happy with the way Bella Mia is coming into the race but is concerned about her doing too much in a short period of time.

“This will be her third race in 30 days, which is a lot for any horse, let alone a 2-year-old filly,” he said. “She had a nice, easy work Sunday and seems to be doing well though.”

Bella Mia drew post 4 and will be the one they have to run down if she breaks alertly with Julien Couton retaining the mount.

Philly Baby, trained by Chris Stenslie, romped in Bella Mia’s debut but had a rough trip after breaking from the rail when she was favored in the Angie C. She could make amends after breaking from post 5 with Jose Zunino aboard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bella Mia, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 53-49-30

◗ She made the lead in the Angie C without much urging from Couton and could be tough to run down with a similar start.

Philly Baby, by Justin Phillip
Last 2 Beyers: 49-37

◗ She was very impressive in her debut, and considering the trip, it is easy to forgive her for finishing fourth as the chalk in the Angie C.

Bella Blaze, by Afleet Alex
Last Beyer: 44

◗ Broke inward when leaving from the rail in a $15,000 maiden-claiming race on July 22, but she recovered quickly and drew off to win her debut by four lengths.

◗ Trained by Doris Harwood, she is a half-sister to Little Dancer, who won the $79,250 Washington Oaks for Harwood on July 23.

Faith Flys Again, by Atta Boy Roy
Last 3 Beyers: 47-35-33

◗ Third to Philly Baby in her debut and second to Bella Mia in her next two starts, she at least should be part of any exotics ticket.

◗ Trained by David Martinez, she will need to break alertly from the inside post with Javier Matias riding.