Bell's the One, Miles Ahead up in time to win respective stakes

The veteran Churchill Downs-based mare Bell's the One only had to face two foes in Saturday's $300,000 Open Mind Stakes at her home track, but one was fellow local and archrival Sconsin. It was no matter, as, in a relentless drive, Bell's the One surged clear in the final strides to win by a length.

This was the 11th career stakes win for Bell's the One ($3.08), a 6-year-old Majesticperfection mare trained by Neil Pessin for Lothenbach Stables. Six of those wins, including the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff in September 2020, have come at Churchill Downs, which, according to the track, is the most by any horse dating back to 1991, the farthest back complete records are available for.

Bell's the One now leads Sconsin five to three in their head-to-head meetings. The two most recently met Aug. 13, when Bell's the One rallied to best pacesetting Joyful Cadence in the $200,000 Lady Tak Stakes at Churchill, with Sconsin fourth after breaking slowly.

On Saturday, Joyful Cadence again showed the way, scampering clear to lead by two lengths through an opening quarter in 22.17 seconds. Sconsin was runningly comfortably in second, with Bell's the One and Corey Lanerie another three lengths back, in her customary spot.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Sconsin edged up on Joyful Cadence around the turn and had dead aim at the top of the stretch, but the leader dug in gamely and inched back to a half-length lead. Meanwhile, Bell's the One had commenced her rally three wide. It took the length of the stretch, but she collared Joyful Cadence in the final stages and kicked clear to the win, stopping the clock in 1:09.43 for the six furlongs.

“She always gives it her all, and I was very confident with her today,” Lanerie said. “It was a short field but we were still able to play into her tactics of running from off the pace. I gave her a few reminders late to keep going, but she knew where the wire was and got the job done.”

Joyful Cadence held second by three-quarters of a length over Sconsin. Cheetara and Club Car were scratches. There was no place, show, or single-race exotic wagering.

Pessin said Bell's the One will be pointed to the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America on Oct. 8 at Keeneland, a race she won last year. The Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint is Nov. 5 at Keeneland. Bell's the One was third in the 2020 edition when Keeneland last hosted the event.

Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes

Miles Ahead ($7.46) prevailed by a nose in a wild finish to the day's other sprint, the $275,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society.

Miles Ahead and jockey Martin Garcia altered course in deep stretch to come between a fading Top Gunner and the rallying Necker Island on the far outside. Favored Isolate, who made his bid along the inside in upper stretch, ha

:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures

Isolate, Miles Ahead, and Necker Island came to the wire together, with Miles Ahead, between horses, best by a nose. Isolate nosed out Necker Island for the place spot.

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:09.02.

Miles Ahead, a 5-year-old Competitive Edge gelding, is trained by Paul McGee for Jay Em Ess Stable, which privately purchased him this year.

The gelding, winner of last year's Grade 3 Smile Sprint and Claiming Crown Rapid Transit, was voted the 2021 Claiming Crown Horse of the Year. This year, he owns a victory in the Gulfstream Park Sprint while trained by Eddie Plesa. He was second by a neck to Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West in the Kelly's Landing in early July for McGee.