Bell's the One passes them all in Raven Run

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Bell’s the One bided her time early before passing all nine opponents in posting a 13-1 upset Saturday in the Grade 2, $250,000 Raven Run at Keeneland.

Ridden by Corey Lanerie, Bell’s the One prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths over First Star, with the 7-5 favorite, Indian Pride, finishing another 2 1/4 lengths back in third.

Trained by Neil Pessin for the Lothenbach Stables, Bell’s the One returned $28.60 after finishing seven furlongs in 1:22.97 over a fast track.

“She was ready today and she wasn’t getting beat,” Lanerie said. “Mr. Neil had her sharp.”

Before an ontrack crowd of 24,296 reveling in perfect autumn weather, Indian Pride was away last in the 21st Raven Run before rushing up into a three-way scramble that also included Free Cover and Irish Mischief as they made their way into the bend. First Star, a California shipper who was unbeaten in two prior starts, loomed large to their outside passing the quarter pole, and she became the filly to beat once they straightened away.

Meanwhile, Bell’s the One was coiling up, ready to launch the kind of run that had made the Majesticperfection filly a winner of her first four career starts.

Said Pessin: “This filly had done exceptionally well in her training, both before and after her last race,” a runner-up finish in the Sept. 21 Dogwood at Churchill Downs behind Covfefe, the early favorite for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. “I had plenty of nervous moments before the race, but once it unfolded and I saw how Corey had gotten her into a nice rhythm, I started getting pretty excited.”

Bell’s the One, bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones, now has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $394,350. Her last four races, all defeats, had included seconds behind Break Even in the Grade 2 Eight Belles and behind Covfefe in the Dogwood, aside from far-back defeats in the Ashland and Acorn.

First Star, the 9-2 second choice under Drayden Van Dyke, ran well in defeat, while Indian Pride, pounded at the betting windows off an eight-length debut triumph at Saratoga in late August, also acquitted herself admirably following her tardy break under John Velazquez.

First Star, trained by Ron Ellis, “put in a great effort,” said Van Dyke. “I thought she was going to grind it out and hold on, but the winner got the best of us today.”

Indian Pride was somewhat difficult for Velazquez to control after breaking a half-step slowly.

“What I should have done was keep her behind horses where she could get to relax,” he said.

Indian Pride is trained by Chad Brown, who also sent out fifth-place finisher Royal Charlotte, the 5-1 third choice.

Restless Rider, the third choice on the morning line, was an early scratch because of a minor foot issue that trainer Kenny McPeek described as not serious.

“Bad timing,” said McPeek.

The Grade 1-winning filly is still unraced since finishing 13th in the May 3 Kentucky Oaks.

The $2 exacta (2-8) paid $197.40, the $1 trifecta (2-8-3) returned $432.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-8-3-11) was worth $253.97.