Bellafina leads all the way in Sorrento Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - Second in her first start in a maiden race at Los Alamitos on July 4, Bellafina was flawless in her stakes debut in Sunday’s Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar.

Ridden confidently by Flavien Prat, Bellafina led throughout and won by 4 1/4 lengths over 5-2 favorite Del Mar May, who remains a maiden after two starts.

Boujie Girl, who won an $80,000 claimer for maidens in her debut on July 20, finished third in the field of 10.

Bellafina ($8.40) ran six furlongs in 1:10.61. She was well positioned throughout under Prat, who said he was impressed with Bellafina’s rally in early stretch.

“She broke well,” Prat said. “I drew the inside and I didn’t want to be struck between horses.

“When I asked her to go, she came with a nice kick. I think she’ll keep improving.”

Bellafina set fractions of 21.82 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.25 for a half-mile. For the $201,725 Sorrento Stakes, trainer Simon Callaghan fitted Bellafina with blinkers for the first time to give the filly more focus.

“I thought the blinkers would help her,” Callaghan said.

Dragic, a maiden race winner at Keeneland in April, finished fourth, followed by Reflect, Stirred, Summerland, Dichotomy, Lady Lucy, and Madison’s Quarters.

Bellafina, by Quality Road, was beaten 1 1/4 lengths as the 1-2 favorite at Los Alamitos. By Quality Road, Bellafina was purchased for $800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale in March by owner Kaleem Shah. She has earned $128,000 in two starts.

The Sorrento Stakes is designed as a prep for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs on Sept. 1, but Callaghan said he may point Bellafina to the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 29.

“I wouldn’t mind missing it and waiting for the race at Santa Anita for the prep,” Callaghan said. “We think this filly is way above average. I was disappointed I didn’t win first time.”

Bellafina gave Prat a sweep of the two stakes on Sunday. Earlier in the day, he won the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap on 1-2 favorite River Boyne. Prat was winless with three mounts at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia on Saturday.

“It’s good to be home,” he said.