Coach Phil D’Amato is almost perfect with the Irish mutt in the first three times of the child Del Mar meeting. He completed the trilogy on July 23 San Clemente Stakes (G2T) with Bellabel , Sixteen Palaces and Love Island . That follows his victory in Oceanside July 22 with Balnikhov and the second in the Osunitas Shares on July 23 with Hamwood Flier .
Of his four hopes at the $200,000 San Clemente for a 3-year-old one mile on the pitch, Bellabel is the longest absentee. In her only US start, she won the Blue Norther Stakes on January 2 at Santa Anita . Park. Despite her dismissal, bettors wisely put her on the field as a 3-1 favorite in field 12.
When the gate opens, Lady Tzu made a second appearance in the June 12 Summertime Oaks (G2) game on the grounds at Santa Anita, took the lead. Tezzaray and Lucky girl However, didn’t let her get too far ahead, and before the field had completed its first turn, Lucky Girl moved out.
Lady T and Lucky Girl took turns taking the lead from behind, but the real race started in the interval. Umberto Rispoli was able to get Bellabel across the tracks, and the boy responded to his urging. She ordered a two-length goal, stopping the clock at 1:35.32 for a mile on solid grass. Sixteen Arches finished second, ahead of Island of Love one neck, who had some trouble but flew out to complete the D’Amato trilogy.
D’Amato’s Other Runner, Helen’s Welleighth run.
The managers posted a survey involving fourth place finisher Lady T and fifth place winner Lucky Girl, eventually disqualifying Lucky Girl from fifth place and ninth place for interference.
Bellabel’s Rispoli says, “I had a good run with her today,” says Bellabel’s Rispoli. “At the beginning of the stretch, she swapped the lead for me, and I had to chase her with a stick, but she was right and ran well.”
D’Amato trains his top trio for different interests. Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano own Bellabel, Michael House owns Sixteen Arches and the R Unicorn Stable Island of Love campaign. Benowitz Family Trust had a double of the day, as the owner of winner Osunitas Stakes Avenue de France , trained by Leonard Powell. D’Amato and Rispoli have collaborated before on the card with Fearless girl third race winner, an optional on-field claimant.
Fergus Cousins bred Bellabel, a daughter of Belardo –Fashion line via Cape Cross (IRE) . As a wish, she sold for the equivalent of $40,107 to BBA Ireland from the Ballybin Stud consignment until 2020 Tattersalls Ireland Foal Foal & Seed Stock Sale.
At 2 in Ireland, Bellabel started five times, winning her last match at Naas last September. She then joined D’Amato’s stable and won the mile-long Blue North. Because of the 2-year-old girl’s movement, the coach decided to let her out and let her rest.
“We gave her time, such as 30 to 45 days of rest, brought her back and directed her to this race,” D’Amato said. “This has been our plan ever since.”
August 20 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) at 1/8 mile on grass will be Bellabel’s next target.
Video: San Clemente S. (G2T)
