Irish-Bred Bellabel Overcomes 15-Month Layoff To Take Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes

IRISH-BRED BELLABEL OVERCOMES 15-MONTH LAYOFF TO TAKE GRADE III, $100,000 MEGAHERTZ STAKES GATE TO WIRE BY ONE LENGTH; GETS MILE ON TURF IN 1:36.16 

ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 3, 2024)—Although she’d been away 15 months, Phil D’Amato’s Irish-bred Bellabel proved plenty fit off the bench in Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita as she made every pole a winning one en route to a solid one length score.  Ridden by Flavien Prat, Bellabel got one mile over a turf course listed as good in 1:36.16.

Breaking from post four in a field of seven older fillies and mares, Bellabel made a comfortable lead and enjoyed a one length advantage, while under restraint, over stablemate Oakhurst into and around the far turn.

Although she tried to lug out with Prat while into the bridle leaving the quarter pole, she was well clear of eventual runner-up Mouffy and was never threatened through the lane in a very impressive performance.

Idle since third in Keeneland’s Grade I, Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Oct. 15, 2022, Bellabel, in her fifth stateside start, was off as the 9-5 favorite and paid $5.80, $3.40 and $3.00.

A 5-year-old mare, Bellabel now has three stakes wins, two of them graded, from her five starts for D’Amato.  Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano, Bellabel is now 10-4-2-2 overall.  With today’s winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $364,810.

Ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Mouffy was attentive to the pace throughout and proved game late, finishing second by a nose over Justique.  The third choice in the race at 2-1, she paid $3.80 and $3.40.

The lone 4-year-old in the field, Justique battled through the lane and prevailed by a neck over longshot Nadette for third money.  Ridden by Mike Smith, Justique was off at 10-1 and paid $5.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.86, 48.59, 1:13.19 and 1:24.68.

Both Prat and D’Amato notched their meet-leading sixth stakes wins.