Bella Vita dominant in Spring Fever Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bella Vita returned from a layoff of more than nine months to record a comprehensive win in Sunday’s $101,000 Spring Fever Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Bella Vita ($2.60) closed from fourth in a field of seven to take command entering the stretch, extending her advantage to 4 1/2 lengths at the finish over 8-1 She’s a Dime.

Bella Vita ran six furlongs in 1:10.33 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 79.

Prat had Bella Vita wide on the backstretch before urging her to the front with a wide move on the turn.

“It was nice he could get her to the outside,” trainer Simon Callaghan said.

She’s a Dime finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of 22-1 Dr Wysong, who was followed by Cassie Belle, Hollywood Hills, Hotitude, and Square Peggy.

Bella Vita won her first stakes in the Spring Fever Stakes, her first start since a second in the Evening Jewel Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies last May on dirt. Bella Vita won a maiden race for California-bred 3-year-old fillies on turf in her second start in February 2020 and was third against open company in the China Doll Stakes at a mile on turf last March.

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Callaghan said dirt races are likely to be commonplace for Bella Vita, a 4-year-old filly by Bayern who races for Kaleem Shah.

“I think she can go seven-eighths, and she seems better on dirt,” Callaghan said.

Bella Vita has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $146,996. Purchased for $400,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale in 2019, Bella Vita was sidelined last spring with minor injuries, Callaghan said.

“We took our time to get her back, nothing major,” Callaghan said. “She’s come back bigger and stronger.”

Callaghan said Bella Vita will be considered for the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs on April 4.

The Spring Fever Stakes was Prat’s second stakes win of the weekend, preceded by the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes on Saturday. Through Sunday, Prat leads all riders at the winter-spring meeting with 39 wins and leads with eight stakes wins.