The morning scratch of Sconsin denied racegoers the opportunity to witness the sixth matchup between Bell’s the One and Sconsin in the $300,000 Dream Supreme Stakes at Churchill Downs Nov. 13. But even with out their ongoing rivalry, the Dream Supreme wasn’t wanting pleasure.
Rather than Sconsin, Membership Automobile gave Bell’s the One a scare, however in the long run, the grade 1-winning Neil Pessin trainee was too good, rallying previous her within the 70 yards to notch a size victory. The end result repeated an in depth 1-2 end between the pair within the Oct. 9 Thoroughbred Membership of America Oaks (G2) at Keeneland.
Bell’s the One, a daughter of Majesticperfection owned by Bob Lothenback’s Lothenback Stables, was timed in 1:10.02 over a fast track.
Her victory set up a celebration from Lothenback and other attendees in the winners’ circle. They collectively sang “Happy Birthday” to victorious jockey Corey Lanerie after he brought Bell’s the One to the area after the race.
“That’s the first time in 47 years,” Lanerie said of his receipt of a winner’s circle birthday serenade.
The Dream Supreme additionally introduced Minnesota resident Lothenbach to Churchill Downs for the primary time since 1997, he mentioned, when he witnessed Captain Bodgit run a close second to Silver Charm in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Asked what inspired his return after so many years, he replied: “Bell’s the One.”
“Love that horse. Love Neil,” he added.
Owner Bob Lothenbach after a victory from Bell’s the One in the Dream Supreme Stakes
Bettors loved her, too, backing her to 4-5 favoritism in six-horse Dream Supreme, the richest race in North America this weekend. She returned $3.60 to win. She earned $183,450, boosting her bankroll to $1,520,275.
Last in the field of six after a quarter-mile, as Elle Z threw down a hot opening quarter in :21.54, Bell’s the One kicked into gear on the turn, moving up the inside. Still fifth as Elle Z slowed to complete a half-mile in :45.24, she angled out for the stretch run.
From there, with Elle Z weakening, pace-pressing Frank’s Rockette and Club Car were left in her sights. Briefly, it looked like Bell’s the One might be in danger of losing. But she found the needed burst late.
“Hats off to Club Car. There was a moment there when I got a little worried,” Lanerie said.
Club Car ran a clear second, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place Frank’s Rockette.
Ben Colebrook, trainer of Club Car offered no excuse for his filly, who got the initial jump on Bell’s the One with a wide bid on the turn. “She ran great, just second best,” he said.
Elle Z, Blinkers , and Vintage Ready completed the order of finish.
Though Bell’s the One is already age 5, retirement isn’t in her immediate future. She is done racing this year but is set to return next year as a 6-year-old.
Pessin said he would “turn out for four to six weeks, and bring her back, get her ready for the Madison (G1) at Keeneland.”
.@JoeyDaKRacing talks with the connections of #BellsTheOne, in addition to jockey @CoreyLanerie, after her win within the Dream Supreme from @ChurchillDowns 🏇 pic.twitter.com/sGKtY0Q5yK
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 13, 2021
Bell’s the One ran third within the seven-furlong Madison in 2019, and second this yr. Keeneland phases the race in early April.
Later in 2022, the goal is the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Dash (G1), additionally at Keeneland. Pessin selected to not ship her to California this yr as a result of journey issues of getting her Del Mar and the choice of the Dream Supreme at Churchill, her common base.
“I’ve zero regrets not going to the Breeders’ Cup” this yr,” Pessin mentioned. “She would’ve nonetheless needed to ship throughout nation and be in a crate for six or seven hours. It wasn’t the very best for her. Subsequent yr at Keeneland, it is a completely different story.”
Bell’s the One was bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones and bought by Lothenbach Stables for $155,000 from Brereton C. Jones’ consignment in 2017 at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s choose yearling sale in Lexington. She is out of the Avenue Cry mare Street Mate , the dam of four winners from as many starters, including stakes-placed Running Mate (Creative Cause ). Street Mate delivered a Collected filly this year and was bred to Not This Time for 2022.
Next year, if all goes well, Bell’s the One’s should meet Sconsin again. Sconsin also races predominantly in Kentucky.
“This race was going to be her last start of the year before a little winter vacation,” said her trainer, Greg Foley. “She wasn’t acting like herself the last couple mornings so we didn’t want to chance anything. She’ll get a break and get ready for a 2022 campaign.”
“I’m a little disappointed Sconsin wasn’t in the race,” Pessin said. “I was looking forward to running against her again. Hopefully she comes back next year, and we’ll have another rematch.”
Video: Dream Supreme S. (BT)
