Bella Sofia fooled everyone, even her trainer, with 93 Beyer in debut

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said Bella Sofia’s 11 1/4-length debut victory Thursday at Belmont Park was as much a surprise to him as it was to the betting public, who let her go off at 11-1.

“She was a big, big surprise,” Rodriguez said. “She was training good enough, but not to do that.”

Bella Sofia, a daughter of Awesome Patriot, ran six furlongs in 1:09.69 and earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

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Rodriguez said he tried to enter Bella Sofia a couple of times for maiden $40,000 claiming, but the races didn’t fill.

“They paid $20,000 for her,” Rodriguez said. “She went through three sales. She has issues.”

Rodriguez said the plan was to have Bella Sofia come to him last summer following the Saratoga meet.

“They bought her in June and I didn’t get her till February,” Rodriguez said. “They say time heals all. Thank God she ran good. Saved the day.”

In the same race that Bella Sofia won, Rodriguez sent out Back Channel, the 4-5 favorite. She finished fourth, beaten 17 1/4 lengths.

“Very disappointed,” Rodriguez said. “I thought she could not lose. These horses, they’ll make a fool out of you for sure.”

Rodriguez said Back Channel scoped clean and did not appear have any issues out of the race.

Rodriguez credited bloodstock agent Nick Sallusto with putting together the vast ownership group of Bella Sofia, which included Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, and Mazel Stable. Bella Sofia was one of seven horses the partnership bought.