Gamine, Bellafina put in final works for Grade 1 races

DEL MAR, Calif. – Gamine and Bellafina, slated for major Grade 1 races on Saturday at Saratoga, both put in their final works on Sunday at Del Mar.

Gamine, a 3-year-old filly, is coming off a spectacular win in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park two months ago. In her final prep for the Test Stakes, she worked six furlongs in 1:12.80, going from the five-furlong pole to the seven-furlong pole while leaving her workmate well behind coming to the finish.

“She’s fast, but she hasn’t been rank or anything,” said her trainer, Bob Baffert, who has desired Gamine to not be so keen early in her races. To that end, he has changed bits on her since her last race.

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Bellafina, one of the top older sprint fillies in the country, went a half-mile in 47.60 seconds for trainer Simon Callaghan prepping for the Ballerina.

“She’s ready,” Callaghan said right after the work to co-owner Kaleem Shah.

“I’m happy with the work,” he said minutes later. “She seems to be on a good path.”

Callaghan said Jose Ortiz has the mount at Saratoga.

Bellafina was second most recently in the Grade 2 Great Lady M at Los Alamitos. Last year, she was second in both the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and the La Brea after capturing the Santa Anita Oaks earlier in the year.