Bellafina dominant in Santa Ynez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bellafina turned back the calendar to September with an easy victory in Sunday’s Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

In her first start since a fourth-place finish as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2, Bellafina won her fourth graded stakes in the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes with minimal urging from jockey Flavien Prat.

Bellafina ($2.80) stalked early pacesetter Mother Mother for the opening quarter-mile, took a narrow lead after a half-mile and cruised through the stretch to win by 8 1/2 lengths. Bellafina ran seven furlongs in 1:22, and earned a career-best Beyer Figure of 95.

“I was expecting her to do well,” Prat said. “It was impressive.

“I just sat there, and when we got to the turn, she took a breather. I felt comfortable. She did it really easily.”

Mother Mother, the winner of the Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill Downs in October, finished a clear second in her first start since a third in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 8. Mother Mother finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Tomlin, who was followed by Reflect and Sold It in the small field.

Bellafina, by Quality Road, has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $708,000 for owner Kaleem Shah and trainer Simon Callaghan.

Purchased for $800,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale of 2-year-olds in training, Bellafina won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in August, the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 1, and the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes on Sept. 29 in consecutive starts before the loss in the BC Juvenile Fillies.

Callaghan said in the winner’s circle that Bellafina will be considered for the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile on Feb. 9.

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