Blazingbellablu edges Young Life Laura in Hastings Stakes

A good, old-fashioned pace throw-down at Emerald Downs on Saturday June 22, in the $50,000 Hastings Stakes at 6 furlongs over a fast strip was beneficial for Blazingbellablu, who made the most of her 2024 debut with a neck victory over Young Life Laura.

Alex Cruz rode the winner, who earned her seventh career stakes victory.

Charles Essex and Petra Lewin own Blazingbellablu, who is trained by Essex. The winner's share of $27,500 boosted the mare's lifetime earnings to $320,561; she has now won immediately after a layoff on three consecutive occasions. The daughter of Grazen has been a winner in stakes company during each of the four seasons she has raced at Emerald Downs.

The story of the race was the relentless pace contest between favorite Miss Dynamic and close second choice Aloha Breeze. Miss Dynamic began fastest after the bell sounded only to find Aloha Breeze right with her from the inside moments later. The pair smoked through a quarter-mile while eye to eye in 21.21 and neither really gave an inch through a half-mile in 43.58.

While Aloha Breeze stayed around to finish fourth (Silvery Orb was third), beaten 2 3/4 lengths by the winner, Miss Dynamic tired from her front-end efforts to finish last of eight, beaten some 9 lengths in the end. Saturday's contest marked the 2024 debut for Aloha Breeze, who was the 3-year-old-filly champion at Emerald Downs in 2023.

As the third choice in the wagering, Blazingbellablu paid $7.72 to win after covering the distance in 1:09.29.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.