Bellamentary finally ready to begin comeback

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bellamentary ended 2016 with the worst performance of her eight-race career – a 10th-place finish in the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland last October. The loss ended any chance of a late-autumn or winter campaign.

“We gave her time and wanted to plan for a good 4-year-old campaign,” said Billy Koch, the managing partner of the Little Red Feather Racing syndicate that co-owns Bellamentary.

The comeback has been delayed at least once in recent weeks and finally will occur in a third-level optional $75,000 claimer at a mile on turf in Friday’s first race at Santa Anita. Bellamentary has won three times and earned $196,114 but has never run on turf.

Bellamentary was entered in the Grade 3 Adoration Stakes on May 7 but was withdrawn when overnight rain left the track wet-fast and sealed.

“It was a soupy mess,” Koch said.

Bellamentary is nominated for Saturday’s Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs against males, but Friday’s race was chosen, Koch said.

Bellamentary drew the outside post and is one of two stakes winners in the field of five. Bellamentary won the Angels Flight Stakes at seven furlongs in May 2016. Do the Dance won the Kathryn Crosby Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar last November.

Race 1

KEY CONTENDERS

Bellamentary, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 63-80-88

◗ After the Angels Flight, Bellamentary was second in two graded stakes around two turns, finishing behind eventual champion Songbird in the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita last June and Belvoir Bay in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar last August.

◗ Trained by Phil D’Amato, Bellamentary has worked steadily since early March, first at Los Alamitos and more recently at Santa Anita. In the last month, Bellamentary has repeatedly had quick workouts on the infield training track, notably five furlongs in 58.20 seconds on May 9 and five furlongs in 1:00.60 last Sunday.

Do the Dance, by Discreet Cat

Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-83

◗ Since winning the Kathryn Crosby, Do the Dance is winless in three starts. She was sixth in the Mizdirection Stakes on the hillside turf course on April 22 but was beaten only two lengths after closing well in the final furlong.

◗ Trained by Paddy Gallagher, Do the Dance won an optional claimer last October at Santa Anita, her only win in 13 starts on the track’s turf course.

Sheeza Milky Way, by Sidney’s Candy

Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-87

◗ Sheeza Milky Way won her last start, an optional claimer on April 9, a result certain to lead to widespread support for the 4-year-old filly. Trained by Peter Eurton, Sheeza Milky Way is a threat from off the pace and would benefit if Bellamentary sets a quick pace.