Callaghan sending talented maiden Bellafina in Sorrento

DEL MAR, Calif. – Even though Bellafina is still eligible for a maiden race, trainer Simon Callaghan said he intends to start both her and Tijori in the Grade 2, $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on Sunday at Del Mar.

Bellafina was second to another intended Sorrento starter, Katieleigh, in a maiden race at Los Alamitos on July 4. Since that race, Dean Reeves has bought into Katieleigh and she has been transferred to trainer Kathy Ritvo from Luis Mendez.

Bellafina was 1 1/4 lengths behind Katieleigh in her debut, but was five lengths clear of the third horse. She has trained strongly at Del Mar, and Flavien Prat is sticking with her over Tijori. Both Bellafina and Tijori – who won a maiden race at Santa Anita before finishing fourth in the Astoria at Belmont on June 7 – are owned by Kaleem Shah.

Callaghan said it was tempting to run both fillies because “it’s a Grade 2.”

The Sorrento is also expected to include Dichotomy, Lady Lucy, Madison’s Quarters, Reflect, Stirred, and Summerland.

Also Sunday is the Grade 3, $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on turf. River Boyne should be a heavy favorite in that race. Expected challengers include Arawak, Californiagoldrush, Move Over, and Restrainedvengence, who won the opening-day Oceanside Stakes.