Bellafina splendid once again in Chandelier

Sep 30, 2018 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Bellafina continued her dominance of the Southern California two-year-old filly division in the $300,000 Chandelier (G1), drawing off to a 6 1/2-length decision. Now a three-time stakes winner for owner Kaleen Shah and trainer Simon Callaghan, the Quality Road filly stamped her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in the “Win & You’re In” event and looms as the probable favorite for the championship race at Churchill Downs on November 2.

The winner also earned 10 points toward a berth in the 2019 Run for the Lilies in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier.

Bellafina stalked pacesetter Vibrance in second through opening splits in :22.88 and :46.51 and made her move for the lead on the far turn. She entered the stretch with a short lead and when regular rider Flavien Prat asked for run, the bay filly drew away readily.

Favored at 4-5 among five rivals, Bellafina completed the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.59 over Santa Anita Park's fast dirt.

Vibrance held for second at 9-1, 5 1/2 lengths clear of Brill. Next came 2-1 second choice Der Lu and Del Mar May.

Second when making her career debut in a July 4 maiden special weight at Los Alamitos, Bellafina jumped straight to stakes company with a 4 1/4-length score in the August 5 Sorrento (G2) at Del Mar. She followed with another 4 1/4-length romp in the September 1 Del Mar Debutante (G1) and has now earned $488,000 from her four starts.

“I think the big key today was to see her relax, and going two turns that was very important,” Callaghan said. “We took the blinkers off – it was a decision I thought would benefit her. She was so relaxed today. The race set up about how we hoped, she relaxed and was breathing throughout, and then kicked at the end. I think that’s about all you could ever hope for.”

Bellafina was bred in Kentucky by JSM Equine and purchased for $800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March two-year-old sale earlier this year. She’s out of the stakes-placed Malibu Moon mare Akron Moon.