Pocono: PA All-Stars flights won by Bella Bellini, Dazzling Reign

Bella Bellini and Dazzling Reign, both winners at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono last Sunday but in different classes, were united this Sunday in each capturing a $35,000 division of a Pennsylvania All-Stars event for 3-year-old trotting fillies at the northeast Pennsylvania oval.

The Bar Hopping filly Bella Bellini, successful in a PA Sire Stakes last week despite having to go uncovered, again had to overcome first-over duties, but she did so in spectacular fashion in 1:54. 2020 Breeders Crown winner Lady Chaos got command past a 27 4/5 quarter, and after getting a stroll to the half in 58 1/5, with Bella Bellini still five lengths behind, the path looked good for Lady Chaos, winner of the other PaSS cut seven days ago. But Dexter Dunn got the Nifty Norman-trained filly underway down the back, and "Bella" uncorked a sizzling own last half of 54 4/5 - 27 to easily sail past Lady Chaos by 2 1/2 lengths; Anoka Hanover, well-placed on the winner's back, ruined her chances with a break.

After going winless in seven starts at two, Bella Bellini has now put together a 7-5-2-0 tally this season, with the two losses each by only a half-length in Sire Stakes legs. Owner David McDuffee appears to have a filly fully capable of competing on the national stage.

The Father Patrick filly Dazzling Reign had posted two wins and a second in her last three starts against Stallion Series horses; here she showed he could handle tougher company, including odds-on favorite Love Muffin, while equaling her mark of 1:54 1/5. The chalk, winner of two straight Sire Stakes before a miscue last week, was used hard to a 26 3/5 quarter for the top, but she backed the mid-race splits down to 56 3/5 and 1:25 1/5. Dazzling Reign kept inching up uncovered, and in the end driver Todd McCarthy was able to get her by Love Muffin by a nose for trainer Claude Huckabone III and owner James Crawford IV.

--press release (PHHA/Pocono)--