Bellafina to rest up for 2019

Bellafina, the top 2-year-old filly in California prior to finishing fourth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, is done for the year. Trainer Simon Callaghan said this week she will not run in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos next month.

“We’re probably going to bring her back in the race in February,” Callaghan said, referring to the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes, a one-mile race scheduled for Feb. 9 at Santa Anita.

Bellafina won three successive stakes, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita, prior to her Breeders’ Cup misfire at Churchill Downs. She was in season when she finished more than nine lengths behind winner Jaywalk.

“It just didn’t happen,” Callaghan said. “I do think she’s better than that run.”

Bellafina, owned by Kaleem Shah, is galloping regularly at Santa Anita.

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