Bell's the One wins LaCombe Memorial in turf debut

Bell’s the One put another number 1 on her record.

Four races into her career and the 3-year-old filly never has lost. After a Polytrack maiden win debuting at Arlington, Bell’s the One captured dirt sprints at Keeneland and Fair Grounds, and on Saturday, she stretched out to two turns, moved to turf, and got home by a half-length in the $75,000 Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Stakes.

Bell’s the One missed two intended starts – in the Silverbulletday and the Rachel Alexandra – because of two different illnesses, but despite making her first start in 2 1/2 months, Bell’s the One was on her game again Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Stalking outside a slow pace (24.90 seconds for the first quarter, 49.64 for the half), Bell’s the One finally kicked into gear in upper stretch, coming between horses at the furlong grounds to overhaul pace-setting Fortunate Girl, who held on for second by a nose over late-running Gamblin Train.

“At the three-eighths pole I thought I was in trouble,” said winning rider Corey Lanerie. “I encouraged her, and at first she didn’t go on.”

Bell’s the One stopped the timer in 1:39.96 for about one mile on firm turf and paid $10.40 to win.

Missmizz, the expected pacesetter, took a bad stumble at the start and never got involved, finishing last. Beautiful Ballad, the 5-2 favorite, failed to offer anything like the stretch punch that won a first-level Fair Grounds turf-route allowance in her most recent start.

“We’ve been behind the 8 ball with her this winter,” said Neil Pessin, who trains Bell’s the One for owner Bob Lothenbach. “This really opens up our options a lot with her. I wasn’t so much worried about turf as two turns.”

Bell’s the One, by Majesticperfection out of Street Mate, by Street Cry, figures to target a race at Keeneland, and indeed, there are options there for her: Short and long on dirt, and long on turf. Whatever the circumstances of the race, this undefeated filly won’t go into it expecting to lose.