Bellabel took command on the far turn and drew off through the stretch to post a comfortable two-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Listed Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita 2 January 2022.
The eight-furlong turf contest marked not only the U.S. debut for the three-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Belardo, but it was also her first try in Stakes company. Previously trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland, Bellabel is now conditioned by Philip D’Amato for the partnership of the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano.
A compact field of six went to the post in the Blue Norther, with Bellabel going off as the second choice in the field behind the even-money favorite, Helens Well. Breaking alertly from post six, Bellabel was settled into third, just behind the front-running duo of Shoppingforpharoah and Helens Well.
Bellabel continued to stalk the leaders until the far turn, when she angled out into the three-path to have a clear run at the leaders. While displaying an impressive turn-of-foot, Bellabel shot to the front and never looked back, eventually cruising to the wire to score by just over two lengths.
Bred in Ireland by Fergus Cousins, Bellabel is out of the winning Cape Cross mare, Fashion Line. Fashion Line’s dam is the Stakes-placed mare, Shadow Roll, who has also produced Multiple Stakes winner, Ashwa Bravo.
Champion juvenile Belardo has sired 10 Stakes performers including Group winners Isabella Giles and Lullaby Moon. Crowned Champion first-season sire in New Zealand in 2020/21, Belardo will stand the 2022 breeding season at Kildangan Stud, Co. Kildare, for €9,000, Oct. 1, Special Live Foal.
