Ce Ce possible for Inside Information Stakes, or Santa Monica Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ce Ce, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar in November and a leading contender for the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding female sprinter of 2021, is nearing her first start of the year.

Trainer Michael McCarthy said Sunday that Ce Ce is under consideration for two Grade 2 races worth $200,000 at seven furlongs for fillies and mares – the Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 29, or the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 5.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, Ce Ce worked five furlongs in 1:00.20, although McCarthy timed the 6-year-old mare in 1:01.20. On Jan. 2, Ce Ce worked five furlongs in 1:00.20.

“She had a solid work the week before and we were looking to follow up,” McCarthy said Sunday.

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Owned and bred by Bo Hirsch, Ce Ce has won 8 of 16 starts and has earned $1,753,100. The BC Filly and Mare Sprint was Ce Ce’s fifth stakes win, and third in a Grade 1.

Bellabel to Providencia

Bellabel won her American debut in the Blue Norther Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Jan. 2 and promptly earned a brief vacation.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday that Bellabel is unlikely to race again until the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies on April 9.

“This is a good time to give her a little break,” D’Amato said. “We want to run her in graded stakes. I can have her ready for the last two-thirds of the year.”

In the Blue Norther Stakes at a mile on turf, Bellabel closed from fourth in a field of six to win by 2 1/4 lengths for her second win in six starts. Bellabel arrived from Ireland last fall.