Bella Ballerina (Street Sense x Pretty City Dancer) returned to Kentucky Oaks trail with a determined victory in the Grade Two Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course. The filly was making her first start as a three-year-old after securing the goods in the Grade Two Golden Rod at Churchill Downs in November.
Though it was just Bella Ballerina’s third start, she was a consummate professional throughout the running of this one and one sixteenth mile affair. The filly displayed her customary early speed from the gate to lead the field as they entered the first turn. She traveled comfortably for jockey Tyler Gaffalione through the backstretch to maintain first position as the race entered the far turn. Bella Ballerina quickened through the far turn, as did an outside opponent, and the two reached the top of the straight head to head. The outside opponent was able to pass Bella Ballerina mid stretch but our filly dug in to make a second run and win by a half length at the wire. Bella Ballerina showed good tenacity to secure this victory and we look forward to her next start in the Grade Two Fair Grounds Oaks. Congratulations to all involved with this exciting filly.
Expensive Queen (IRE) (Lope De Vega (IRE) x Witches Brew (IRE)) secured her first Stakes victory in the Listed Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. The five-year-old filly was stylish in her return to the races in January and took a step forward from that effort to win decisively in this Listed affair. Congratulations to owner Farfellow Farms, Ltd!
