Meadowlands: Racine Bell fends off Test Of Faith in Perfect Sting

Racine Bell was at the top of her game on Saturday night, and Jason Bartlett put her where she needed to be, going virtually wire-to-wire to capture the $143,000 Perfect Sting for open mares at the Meadowlands in a career-best 1:47 2/5 clocking.

Bartlett left with Racine Bell from post six, with Gia's Surreal and Bob McClure leaving directly inside of him and gaining quick control. Bartlett moved Racine Bell to the front in a 26 2/5 opening quarter and had a clear advantage. Odds-on favorite and defending Horse of the Year Test Of Faith left out from post 10, but driver David Miller elected
not to pursue the early lead and instead raced under rating in sixth position, parked through the first quarter-mile.

Bartlett sensed the power and position he had with Racine Bell, and the lack of any serious outer flow in stalling the half to 54 2/5. Miller, during this point in the mile, patiently advanced with Test Of Faith, improving position but not challenging for the lead. Racine Bell picked up the tempo on the turn, as did Miller with Test Of Faith, with the third quarter sprinted in 27 1/5 and Test Of Faith appearing to get into striking distance. Pocket-sitter Gia's Surreal pulled briefly before the three-quarters, but McClure felt the pace pick up and quickly ducked in behind Racine Bell
for the stretch rally.

Bartlett let Racine Bell, a 5-year-old mare by So Surreal, hit her stride in the stretch, and with a 25 4/5 final quarter, she was impossible to catch. Test Of Faith kept coming despite the brutal trip and was a clear second
in the mile, with Gia's Surreal settling for third. Last year's divisional champion Lyons Sentinel drafted behind Test Of Faith the entire mile but was a distant fourth, with Easy To Please fifth in the race.

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Owned by Chris Lawton and Dale Lawton and trained by David Dewhurst, Racine Bell won for the sixth time in 13 starts this year and returned $15.80 to win.

"It was a perfect race," said Bartlett of Racine Bell's performance. "We've had trouble with her running out on us. When she goes straight, she's a lot faster."

Racine Bell won for the 27th time and pushed her career bankroll over the $900,000 mark with the win.