Bellafina works ahead of cross-country trip for Test Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Bellafina, a winner of six graded stakes in the last year and one of the nation’s leading 3-year-old fillies, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Del Mar on Saturday in advance of the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 3.

The $500,000 Test Stakes is run at seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies and will be Bellafina’s first start since she finished fifth as the 9-5 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 3.

In Saturday’s workout, Bellafina was not urged. She worked alone and raced a few paths off the rail in the stretch, finishing in hand. Trainer Simon Callaghan timed Bellafina galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.60.

Owned by Kaleem Shah, Bellafina has won 6 of 9 starts and earned $1,102,125. Earlier this year, she won three consecutive graded stakes at Santa Anita, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 6.

There were 177 timed workouts at Del Mar on Saturday.

La Force, the winner of the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on June 1, worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 for the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on July 28.

Ollie’s Candy, who was second in the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on June 22, worked a half-mile in 46.60 seconds, the fastest of 85 works at the distance. Ollie’s Candy is nominated for the $300,000 Hirsch Stakes.

Cistron, second in the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs May 25, worked six furlongs in 1:13.80, the fastest of six works at the distance. Cistron is nominated to the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on July 27.