Bella Mia scores second straight stakes victory in Barbara Shinpoch

For a brief moment, it looked like the even-money favorite Bella Mia might not win the $49,500 Barbara Shinpoch at Emerald Downs on Saturday. However, it didn’t last long, and after she repelled a bid by Philly Baby she was home and cooled out. She paid $4.00 for her impressive win in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies.

Breaking sharply with Julien Couton aboard, Bella Mia posted a quarter-mile time of 22.07 seconds while under some pressure from Curious Rumor to her inside. Moving to the outside of the leader, Philly Baby made a serious bid at the top of the stretch. However, Bella Mia found another gear and was gone. The winning margin over Philly Baby, who rallied from a stalking position, was 4 3/4 lengths. Curious Rumor held on to finish third.

The final time was 1:10.65

The daughter of Harbor the Gold is trained by leading trainer Blaine Wright and owned by John and Janene Maryanski.

It was the Washington-bred filly’s second straight stakes win. The $27,225 winner’s share of the purse brought her career earnings to $66,013.