Bellstreet Bridie brings enduring strength to American Oaks

At 1 1/4 miles on grass, the American Oaks (G1T) gap on December 26 adds an element of uncertainty to the controversial 3-year-old race at Santa Anita . Parkwith some favorites tested in excess of 1 1/8 miles.

Bellstreet Bride is an exception. Formerly based in the UK, Sir Percy the little girl made six straight starts at 1 1/4 mile pace this spring and summer before she reached further with success. She has won four of her last five races, including her US debut on November 24 at Del Mar for new coach Mark Glatt.

Facing older mares and mares that afternoon in the 1 3/8 mile Red Carpet Stakes (G3T), she was seated directly behind an inferior leader, taking command ahead of the score. mark a mile and win by 4 1/4.

Flavien Prat, who led her to victory, is not in favor of American Oaks. He’s on the Rise of Stephanie Brant Salimah a recent stake winner at Aqueduct race track for two-time American Oaks Award-winning coach Chad Brown.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith picks up a ride on Bellstreet Bridie, who must avoid regressing before such an epic US launch will repeat.

What Bellstreet Bridie hasn’t done is prove herself at the highest stakes level. The red carpet was just her first start in a graded or group race followed by a minor handicap.

Still, the promise she showed in those smaller events caught the attention of buyers in October at the Tattersalls Fall 2022 Horse Training Sale, where owners Red Baron’s Barn & Rancho Temescal bought her for the equivalent of $311,166 from the Fitzroy House consignment.

Shortly after her Del Mar win, Red Baron’s Barn & Rancho Temescal lost a key member of the family-run stables when founder Jed Cohen passed away on November 27, his son. It is Tim who manages the stables and other family members also participate.

One notable American Oaks 1st grader is Bobby Flay’s Pizza Bianca who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Del Mar in her first racing season in late 2020.

Most recently ranked third after the senior rivals regal glory and English rose On December 4 in the one-mile Matriarch Stakes (G1T) at Del Mar, losing 5 1/4 of the distance, she returned after just over three weeks of rest for the American Oaks, the last 1st place grass race. end of 2022.

The movement also spans Augustin Stable and Catherine Parke’s sparkling green . She trailed 2 1/2 miles in 1 1/16 miles Rubicon Valley View Stakes (G3T) in Keeneland in late October.