Meadowlands: Trotting queen Bella Bellini returns to action Saturday

Bella Bellini makes her 2023 debut on Saturday night at the Meadowlands in the first leg of the Miss Versatility, kicking off spring stakes action at the Meadowlands with a supporting cast that includes the first round of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for sophomore male and female pacers. Now a 5-year-old, Bella Bellini likely has her sights set on racing against male competition this year with purse structure restrictive to older mares.

"I really didn't plan on racing her in the Miss Versatility," said Nifty Norman, Bella Bellini's conditioner. "But she needed a race, and I knew there would be a short field, so it's better than putting her in a second qualifier."

A daughter of Bar Hopping, Bella Bellini drew the outside post in the field of five in Saturday's second race going for a $40,000 purse.

"She's a bit fat," said Norman, not wishing to give extreme expectations for her first start of the year. Nevertheless, given the competition, it will be hard for Bella Bellini not to be favored on Saturday night.

Following a solid campaign last year that saw Bella Bellini finish on the board in all but one of her 19 starts and post earnings in excess of $936,702, the Miss Versatility field should be to her liking. That said, last year's Hambletonian Oaks champion Fashion Schooner (post two) might be more fit than her older rival, having raced the past two weeks in the New Jersey Maturity. Fashion Schooner, a daughter of Walner from trainer Jim Campbell's stable, debuts against older foes for the first time, having finished second in both 2023 starts. Tim Tetrick will sit behind Fashion Schooner once again.

Rounding out the field for the Miss Versatility will be Ghostintheshell S (post one), Dreamonhigh (post three) and Swans Eye (post four).

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Driver Jordan Stratton has been a regular visitor to the Meadowlands on Saturday nights, and that will continue at least for the first weekend in May with the season's debut of Voukefalas in the $30,000 first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for sophomore colts and geldings (race eight).

"He was really good in both qualifiers," said Stratton, who will guide the colt for trainer Michael Russo from post three in the field of eight. "He paced home in 24 4/5 and 25 2/5 in those qualifiers, and the second one was over a dead track."

Stratton was more than impressed with the colt this year, suggesting that he's filled out and has more muscle. A winner in three of his seven starts as a juvenile, Voukefalas, a son of Lazarus, banked $241K with an impressive 1:50 speed badge.

"He's been great thus far but most of his races have been sitting and sprinting. We're going to have to find out how he does when there's speed throughout the mile," said Stratton, appearing confident that Voukefalas will be able to excel not just in the New Jersey Sire Stakes program but beyond as well.

"He's staked to everything as far as I know," said Stratton. "I'm going to stick with him as long as they want me to."

Voukefalas shared the New Jersey stage with Handlelikeaporsche last year, and the two once again lock horns in the opening leg of the Sire Stakes. Voukefalas landed post three, with his rival starting from post four. Handlelikeaporsche ventured outside the New Jersey program last year and was a Breeders Crown elimination winner among his five victories. Trainer Chris Ryder has given Handlelikeaporsche two qualifiers to prepare for his sophomore debut.

Lifes A Puzzle (post one) has looked sharp already this season and will get tested for class in this field. Trained by Jim King Jr., Lifes A Puzzle was a 1:51 winner at Harrah's Philadelphia on April 16.

Stratton makes his pari-mutuel driving debut behind the Irish-bred Harry Knows in Saturday's ninth race, a conditioned event for non-winners of $20,000 in last five.

"I was really happy with him," said Stratton of the April 22 qualifier that Harry Knows won in 1:54 3/5.

"They were having a little trouble with him making breaks," said Stratton. "So, I kind of let him roll out there in the qualifier and he was fine."

While winning by just a nose over a dull surface, Stratton was impressed with how his horse dug in down to the wire and held off a pair from the Ake Svanstedt stable. Harry Knows has won three of his six starts since arriving in North America from Ireland and has a 1:52 4/5 mark that hardly appears to scratch the surface of what he may be capable of on this continent.

With warmer and drier weather rolling into the East Coast on Saturday, the conditions should be perfect for racing when it begins at 6:20 p.m.