Bellezza surges up the rail to win G3 Sheepshead Bay
Moyglare Stud Farm’s Irish homebred Bellezza made her stateside debut a winning one as the 10-1 longest shot in Friday’s $175,000 Sheepshead Bay, an 11-furlong inner turf test for older fillies and mares, at Belmont at the Big A.
The 4-year-old Siyouni bay was successful in her first start in the United States and for trainer Christophe Clement. She was trained through her first seven outings by Ger Lyons in her native Ireland, including a last-out rallying neck score in the 10-furlong Listed Diamond on September 27 over the Dundalk synthetic. On Friday, she returned from the seven-month layoff to make a strong first impression on American racing.
“We always liked her this winter. She behaved like a nice filly and worked good,” said Clement’s assistant Christophe Lorieul. “They went 52 and 2 to the half, they were crawling. He [Jaime Rodriguez] stuck to the rail and had a great trip. When it opened up, she stuck out her neck and went all the way through. It was a great performance.”
The victory was the first graded stakes win for jockey Jaime Rodriguez, who navigated the winning trip from the inside post. Bellezza broke alertly and settled in third position behind the favored Beach Bomb as Whatlovelookslike led through the first turn and an opening quarter-mile in 26.15 seconds on the firm turf.
Whatlovelookslike continued to lead the Hall of Famer Javier Castellano-piloted Beach Bomb as the field passed the wire for the first time with Bellezza saving ground in third position and the Clement-trained La Mehana and Silvology just off of her as the half-mile elapsed in 52.65.
The complexion remained unchanged through three-quarters in 1:18.87 and one mile in 1:43.83 before La Mehana briefly overtook Bellezza for third position with a wide move in the third turn. Rodriguez remained patient aboard his filly at the top of the lane, and with Beach Bomb taking command in the stretch, a window opened along the rail as Whatlovelookslike faded.
“I know we are walking because she was playing with her ears and everything,” Rodriguez said of the early pace. “Every time I asked her a little bit, she gave me more. I was loaded, and I was just waiting for the moment. They opened the run, she hit the clear and she exploded.”
Bellezza capitalized on the newfound opening, surging to a 1 1/2-length victory over Beach Bomb in a final time of 2:18.29. Silvology closed for third 1 1/2 lengths back, with La Mehana and Whatlovelookslike completing the order of finish. Main track-only entrant Amanda’s Folly was scratched.
“They told me, ‘save as much ground as you can and when you get the chance, just go up the rail – if you have to get out, get out, but the more important thing is to save ground,’” Rodriguez said. “Everything worked out the way they told me and everything.
“[I’m] happy. My kids are here and I feel so good. We’ve got to enjoy it and have fun,” Rodriguez added of his first graded triumph.
Castellano, aboard the South African-bred Beach Bomb who entered from back-to-back Grade 3 scores for trainer Graham Motion, tipped his cap to Bellezza’s late foot.
“I had a beautiful trip. No complaints - second best today. She was happy and comfortable, good rhythm,” said Castellano. “It was a slow pace. I just kept track of the pacemaker. Turning for home, I thought I was going to win the race and the European horse, first time in the country, was amazing and she finished powerfully."
Bellezza is out of the Listed stakes-placed Galileo mare Terrific, a full-sister to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Together, who captured the 2011 Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. She banked $96,250 in victory while improving her record to 8-3-2-1 and returning $22.40 for a $2 win bet.
Live racing resumes Saturday at the Big A featuring a first post of 12:00 p.m. Eastern, with the facility open to the public from 10 a.m. - 8:45 p.m. to accommodate an 11 a.m. first post at Churchill Downs for their 14-race card that features the Grade 1, $5 million Kentucky Derby in Race 12 at 6:57 p.m. The Big A will host a Kentucky Derby watch party Saturday offering Taste NY liquor samplings, mint julep bar, pimento cheese tasting, live music and NYRA Bets giveaways.
The Big A's 11-race card Saturday includes the Listed $150,000 Elusive Quality, in Race 7, and the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Marcy, in Race 10.
America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.
NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont at the Big A, and the best way to bet every race of the spring/summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.