Meadowlands: Stakes record effort by Bella Bellini in Steele Memorial

Bella Bellini began the stakes action on Saturday at the Meadowlands with a stakes record 1:49 4/5 mile in the $145,000 Dr. John R. Steele Memorial for open trotting mares.

There was plenty of early speed in the event as Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) blasted out from the rail, as did Weslynn Quest (Joe Bongiorno), Next Level Stuff (Tim Tetrick), and When Dovescry (David Miller) from the outside posts. Weslynn Quest and Next Level Stuff dropped in behind Atlanta, but When Dovescry pressed on two-wide and forged her way past Atlanta after a fast quarter of 26 seconds.

When Dovescry would go on to reach the half in 53 3/5, and Bella Bellini (Dexter Dunn) would get going two-wide past that marker. When Dovescry continued on the engine on the last turn, but nearing the 1:22 1/5 three-quarters, Atlanta vacated the pocket ahead of Bella Bellini, giving Dunn some cover to follow with last year's Hambletonian Oaks champion.

In the lane When Dovescry dug in gamely and repelled Atlanta's attack, but Dunn cut Bella Bellini loose three-wide, and she vaulted by both of them on her way to win by a couple of lengths. When Dovescry, Atlanta, Kenziesky Hanover (Andy McCarthy), Next Level Stuff, and Weslynn Quest rounded out the order.

The previous stakes record in the Dr. John R. Steele Memorial was 1:50 set by Manchego in 2019. She was also driven by Dunn on that day.

"Going down the back I had a bit of a smile on my face. She was so sharp post parading today. I knew she really had her "A" game on," Dunn remarked. "Once those fractions set up for her, she's so fast on the end of the mile. I was pretty confident.

"[Atlanta] came out with plenty of time. It took me a bit to really get on the helmet there, but it worked out perfect. I tagged on Yannick's helmet right into the stretch, just a matter of when I pulled her. She did the rest."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Nifty Norman trains Bella Bellini, a 4-year-old mare by Bar Hopping, for owner/breeder David McDuffee. She has 17 wins from 37 career starts, has now earned $1,627,099, and paid $4.20 to win as the even-money favorite.

"I never thought I'd have a trotter under 1:50. That's unbelievable," said McDuffee. "It all adds up, but she's doing a hell of a job for us."