Bell's the One set to join Pessin stable
The end of 2021 treated trainer Neil Pessin pretty well. Happy American came within an inch of winning his first stakes in the Dec. 27 Tenacious, and a day later Audrey’s Time was much the best in the Spanky Broussard Memorial. And on Jan. 4, Pessin will welcome stable star Bell’s the One back into his Fair Grounds barn.
Bell’s the One won four stakes during her 2021 campaign, including the Honorable Miss at Saratoga, the Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland, and the Dream Supreme at Churchill to wrap up her 5-year-old campaign. Pessin and owner Bob Lothenbach declined to send Bell’s the One to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint because of concerns regarding shipping, a choice Pessin still stands by.
“She would’ve had to ship out there in a crate, and I’m still not comfortable with that,” Pessin said.
Bell’s the One will make her 2022 debut in the Madison Stakes in April at Keeneland if all goes to plan.
Happy American, an improving Runhappy colt, should be set for a useful 4-year-old campaign in 2022 after showing sharp improvement his last three starts of 2021. Pessin said he’s likely to pass the Louisiana Stakes in January and aim for the Mineshaft Stakes in February with an eye toward the New Orleans Classic in March. Audrey’s Time could come under consideration for the Houston Ladies Classic depending on the strength of that field, Pessin said.