Express Train, Alpha Bella retired, to be sent to Kentucky
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Multiple stakes winners Alpha Bella and Express Train have been retired after losses in recent graded stakes, their trainers said Sunday.
Express Train won 7 of 28 starts and earned $1,640,300 for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable and trainer John Shirreffs. Shirreffs said that Express Train is scheduled to be sent to Kentucky, where the 8-year-old will be retrained under the supervision of Jen Roytz.
“He’ll retire,” Shirreffs said. “He’s done enough for us. I’d love to see him become a hunter-jumper.”
Express Train finished last of six in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita in his final start. Express Train’s career highlights included a second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in 2021 and a win in the same race the following year in what turned out to be his final victory.
Express Train was a well-beaten second behind Locked in the Santa Anita Handicap in March. In August, he was third by a length in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar.
Alpha Bella, a 5-year-old mare by Justify, ends her career with four wins in 25 starts and earnings of $587,615. She won the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Gulfstream Park in January 2024 when trained by Todd Pletcher and the CTT-TOC Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares at Del Mar on Aug.15 for trainer John Sadler.
In her final start, Alpha Bella finished fourth of eight in the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Oct. 4 at Santa Anita. Sadler said Sunday that Alpha Bella is scheduled to be sent to Kentucky and owner Don Alberto Stable’s farm this week.
Alpha Bella is scheduled to be bred in early 2026, Sadler said.
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