Belle's Blue Bell notches first stakes win with Maryfield

Belle’s Blue Bell became a stakes winner with a last-to-first score Saturday at Monmouth Park in the $100,000 Maryfield Stakes.

Ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer David Carlos and owner Jacks or Better Far, Belle’s Blue Bell beat odds-on favorite Youalmosthadme by 1 3/4 lengths. Daughter of Time finished third, a half-length behind the favorite, and Girvin’s Princess was another half-length behind her.

Both Youalmosthadme and Girvin’s Princess suffered compromising trouble, the latter causing the former’s when she broke sharply outward from post 4, causing Samy Camacho on Youalmosthadme to snatch up his mount, placing her last. Girvin’s Princess chased the pace between Daughter of Time on the inside and Caress on the outside, and when Daughter of Time came out as the field bent into the turn, Girvin’s Princess had to be steadied, lost her rhythm, and dropped back sharply before turning in a field-best final furlong in 13.23.

:: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets.Meanwhile, Belle’s Blue Bell cruised into contention on the turn, Bravo trading ground loss for a clear run. Belle’s Blue Bell swept to the lead in upper stretch and had plenty to fend off Youalmosthadme, who was late to change leads and didn’t get much of a boost when she finally did.

The winner ran six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.91 and paid $10.60 as the second choice. A homebred, Belle’s Blue Bell is by Girvin out of Awesome Belle, by Awesome of Course.

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