Bell’s the One Bombs the Tote in Winning Colors

LOUISVILLE, KY – Lothenbach Stables’ Bell’s the One made a bold late run down the middle of the lane to take command before drawing off to bomb the tote at 13/1 in Saturday’s $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Breaking from post 4 under Corey Lanerie, Bell’s the One sat way off the pace amid the final flight of fillies and mares upon exiting the barriers. The 9/5 second choice Break Even secured early command as expected, flying through opening fractions of :21.28 and :44.51 while the 4/5 favorite Mia Mischief chased outside of Sneaking Out.

Still in front as the field rounded for home, Break Even came under pressure from Mia Mischief, who looked ready to pounce but struggled to get ahead of the pacesetter. Behind them, Lanerie tipped Bell’s the One out into the clear and sent her after the front-runners, who showed signs of slowing inside the 1/8 pole.

Sweeping her way to the lead near the 1/16 pole, Bell’s the One drew off convincingly for victory. The Neil Pessin trainee crossed 3 lengths clear in a final time of 1:08.70 for the 6-furlong fast dirt sprint.

“She is really talented,” Lanerie said. “When she switches leads like that, she has such a strong turn of foot and really finishes strong.”

Though unable to fend off the hard-charging winner, Break Even did stave off Mia’s Mischief by 2 1/2 lengths for second. Unique Factor made her move to the front off of the far turn but could not sustain it, settling for fifth ahead of a weakened Sneaking Out.

Spiced Perfection‘s debut for new trainer Mark Casse was less than celebratory, as she raced no better than seventh throughout the event. Completing the order of finish behind her came Princess Causeway and Take Charge Angel.

Lady Suebee was scratched.

Bell’s the One’s win was her second at the graded stakes level, having taken the Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland last fall in a similar tote-bombing escapade at 13/1. The 4-year-old Majesticperfection filly, purchased as a yearling for $155,000, now sports a record of 12-6-2-0 with $461,240 earned.

“When she has a target she’ll really do what you want her to do,” Pessin said. “Her workouts are the same way as she runs in the race. This filly never gets respect. This was a really good group of horses with two Grade 1 winners. She’s always a big price and never gets the respect she deserves.”

Bell’s the One returned $28.20 to win, $9.80 to place, and $4.20 to show. Break Even brought back $4.20 to place and $3 to show, while Mia Mischief paid $2.10 to show.