DQ puts Aurelia's Belle in Regret winner's circle

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Aurelia’s Belle couldn’t quite catch A Little Bit Sassy in Saturday night’s Grade 3, $111,900 Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs, but upon the disqualification of the A Little Bit Sassy for interference, she was ultimately got the victory.

A Little Bit Sassy, first across the post, was relegated to fourth by the Churchill stewards for impeding the stretch run of Kiss Moon, who was making a threatening move between horses when A Little Bit Sassy drifted out badly under left-handing urging from Luis Saez, cutting off Kiss Moon with approximately 50 yards to race.

As a result of the disqualification, Aurelia’s Belle ($8.80) became the official winner, followed by Personal Diary in second and Kiss Moon in third.

The victory, albeit via disqualification, gave trainer Wayne Catalano his third winner of the night. John Velazquez was aboard the official winner.

Aurelia’s Belle, ninth in the Kentucky Oaks on dirt, recorded her second graded stakes victory in the Regret for owner James Miller. Earlier this spring she had won the Grade 3 Bourbonette at Turfway. The Regret was her first grass race.

The official time in the Regret was 1:48.02 for 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course, covered by A Little Bit Sassy, with Aurelia’s Belle a head behind at the finish.

Unlucky in defeat was Kiss Moon, although she was awarded third upon the disqualification of A Little Bit Sassy. She took the worst of the interference and appeared to be traveling as well as Aurelia’s Belle when impeded. She lost by 1 1/2 length s.

As a result of A Little Bit Sassy’s foul, as racing rules indicate, she was placed behind the horse she hampered – hence being dropped to fourth behind Kiss Moon by track stewards.