Coach Rudy Rodriguez doesn’t think he’s seen the best version of his strikingly chubby sprinter Bella Sofia June 10 at Belmont Park but it was still enough to win $279,000 in Bed o’ Roses (G2) Shares.
On paper, class 1 winner Bella Sofia looks like controllable speed in the field of only four fillings and a mare in Friday’s seven-time test — and that should soon be prove. Bella Sofia broke through well from the gate under Luis Saez to quickly take advantage.
Daughter of Great patriot then solve to register a quarter mile in: 23.62 and a half mile in: 46.18 in a well matched field like Easy blessing challenge applying token pressure in turn. Bella Sofia will soon eliminate that opponent, opening a 1/2 lead in the middle of the round, and with just enough left to retain an impressive late rally from the 1st place winner. Obligatory to guarantee half the winning time. She completed seven hooks in 1:21.36.
“I was a little worried because she often changes leads but not today,” says Rodriguez. “I don’t know if something is bothering her; maybe (we got her) here too quickly. She won.”
Taking part in the race, Rodriquez is concerned that Bella Sofia is not getting enough time off after a tough victory about four weeks ago at Vagrancy Handicap (G3). As the 123-pounder in the May 14 race in Belmont, Bella Sofia pitted the graded multi-bet winner Frank’s Rockette through the stretch mark before dominating with the nose.
Rodriguez was delighted with Friday’s win, but even then, he regretted sending his standout to the starting gate at a lower level than her best.
“I think we made a mistake, but I know she’s just a special horse,” said Rodriguez, later adding that with the win, he hopes the owner won’t tell him when which race. “She looked a little tired. I worked for Bobby Frankel and Richard Dutrow and they always said if you have a good horse you have to take care of the horse. So I knew in my heart we would Come back a little quick, but she’s special.”
Mandatory, who won the 1st class breakout in the Derby City Distaff Stakes presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery (G1) on 7 May at Churchill Downsunleashed a sharp finish under Jose Ortiz despite trying to refocus after slow fractions.
Coach Bill Mott said: “She was a victim of any speed scenario but she ran well. “Our filth made a huge race; the other filth was special as well. With a small pitch and no other real speed in it, the other filth had the edge in terms of combat. art.”
Campaigned by Michael Imperio, Medallion Racing, Sofia Soares, Vincent Scuderi and Parkland Thoroughbreds, Bella Sofia earned her fourth place win. She also claimed last year’s Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) against older women and a Longines Check Bet (G1) against other 3-year-olds.
Rudy Rodriguez congratulates jockey Luis Saez after Bella Sofia’s win in The Bed o’ Roses Stakes at Belmont Park
“She was the horse of a lifetime,” says Rodriguez. “Dream comes true.”
Raised in Kentucky by Two Tone Farms, Bella Sofia stands out Unified person mare Love contract , who made three starters, all of which were winners. The love contract also features an unlicensed 2-year-old pony named War Empire, by Valentine’s Day .
Bella Sofia, by far the top earner for her males with $840,100, sold for $20,000 at Ocala Breeders ‘Sales’ 2020 to Sallusto & Albina, dealer. She has been commissioned by Grassroots Sales & Training.
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