Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) trailed the field early and turned in a big run in the stretch to upset Saturday's GII Lexus Raven Run S. at Keeneland.
She caboosed the field for the first half of the seven-furlong affair, pinched plenty of ground with an inside run leaving the three-eighths marker, was pulled out widest of all entering the stretch and outfought California raider First Star for the victory.
Favored Indian Pride, a runaway debut winner at Saratoga, missed the break completely, then rushed up into it to fight out the fractions. She appeared a spent force passing midstretch, but managed to cling on gamely for third.
Bell's the One began her career with four straight wins– including the Letellier Memorial S. last December and the grassy Allen Black Cat LaCombe Memorial S. in March, both at Fair Grounds. The waters got much deeper in her next four trips to the post, which included distant runner-up finishes behind previously unbeaten Break Even (Country Day) in the GII Eight Belles S. May 3 and likely GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint favorite Covfefe (Into Mischief) in the Dogwood S. Sept. 21, respectively.
“[I had] a lot of confidence,” winning trainer Neil Pessin said. “She came into it really well. In the race, we were where we wanted to be. When I saw her moving up the fence at the three-eighths pole, I knew she was going to be tough.”
Pedigree Notes:
Bell's the One is the fifth graded winner for her expatriated sire, which includes 2015 GI Kentucky Oaks victress Lovely Maria. He stood at Kentucky's Airdrie Stud through 2018 before moving to Haras Rapetti in Uruguay. Bell's the One is one of 58 stakes winners out of daughters of Street Cry (Ire). Her dam, who has produced foals exclusively by Airdrie stallions, has also had Running Mate (Creative Cause), SP; and 2-year-old filly Summer Clothes (Summer Front). Yearling and weanling fillies by Summer Front and Cairo Prince, respectively, have followed. Street Mate is a half to GSW & GISP Tap Day (Pleasant Tap). Both are out of MGSW & MGISP Possible Mate (King's Bishop).
Saturday, Keeneland
LEXUS RAVEN RUN S.-GII, $250,000, Keeneland, 10-19, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.97, ft.
1–BELL'S THE ONE, 118, f, 3, by Majesticperfection
1st Dam: Street Mate, by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Day Mate, by Dayjur
3rd Dam: Possible Mate, by King's Bishop
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($155,000 Ylg '17 FTKJUL). O-Lothenbach Stables Inc (Bob Lothenbach); B-Bret Jones (KY); T-Neil L Pessin; J-Corey J Lanerie. $150,000. Lifetime Record: 9-5-2-0, $394,350. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–First Star, 118, f, 3, First Dude–Via Regina, by English Channel. ($7,200 Ylg '17 OBSOCT; $35,000 2yo '18 EASMAY). O-Albert & Kathleen Mattivi LLC; B-Catherine Ann Perez & Richard Allan Heysek (FL); T-Ronald W Ellis. $50,000.
3–Indian Pride, 118, f, 3, Proud Citizen–Ms. Cornstalk, by Indian Charlie. O/B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Chad C Brown. $25,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2 1/4, HD. Odds: 13.30, 4.90, 1.40.
Also Ran: Irish Mischief, Royal Charlotte, Oxy Lady, Needs Supervision, Istan Council, Horologist, Free Cover. Scratched: Restless Rider.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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