Bella Ballerina shows toughness to continue G2 Rachel Alexandra run

Bella Ballerina continued Godolphin’s superb recent record in the G2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes as she maintained her unbeaten profile with a tenacious display at Fair Grounds, USA, on Saturday, 14 February. 

Royal blue fillies had captured the three previous editions of the Kentucky Oaks trial, with Pretty Mischievous and Good Cheer both graduating to Classic glory on the first Friday in May.

Making her three-year-old return, Bella Ballerina was quickly into her stride and immediately opened up a length-and-a-quarter lead over Luv Your Neighbor. 

Bella Ballerina saw her lead reduced rounding the far turn, with Luv Your Neighbor moving up to join the Brendan Walsh-trained filly at the top of the straight.

Luv Your Neighbor went on into a slender advantage over a furlong out before Bella Ballerina rallied gamely for Tyler Gaffalione to stick her head back in front inside the final half-furlong. 

The half-sister to Pretty Mischievous asserted near the line, moving her to the head of the standings for the Kentucky Oaks with 60 qualifying points.

Brendan Walsh said: “Hats off to Bella Ballerina, who fought hard when it looked like she could have got beat. I think that’s a great sign in a filly and she should improve a lot for the run today. She got a little tired in the stretch and probably needed the run, so she should move forward.

“It’s always nice to have the points [for the Kentucky Oaks], but we will have to get another race into her beforehand. She deserved the points today and fought hard for them.” 

Tyler Gaffalione added: “Bella Ballerina did a little bit more than I wanted down the back, but relaxed great coming into the far bend. The other horse came to challenge her but she was able to fight her off. 

“She was acting like she was getting a bit tired but, the more I got into her, the more she kept finding. She really finished up great and all credit to Brendan and his team – she was ready to run today and ran big for us.”

Montador added another strong effort to his good winter in New Orleans with a clear second in the G3 Fair Grounds Stakes on the same card. 

Winner of the Woodchopper Stakes in December, the Michael Stidham-trained four-year-old broke on terms in the nine-furlong turf contest and soon raced in mid-field of the 10 runners down the inside rail. 

Tyler Gaffalione was forced to delay his challenge early in the straight, with Montador staying on powerfully after being switched out to go down by two and a quarter lengths to Lagynos.