Kentucky Derby 2020 Radar: Bellavia professional for Pletcher

When a horse stuck on the inside prompts or chases the pace, yet still fights on to break his maiden, it’s worth noting. And when that horse is a second-time starter newly running for connections like Todd Pletcher and owners Robert LaPenta and Sol Kumin, he has the attention of the 2020 Kentucky Derby Radar.

Bellavia, who was well-regarded on debut, ran second by 1 1/4 lengths to Tumbling Sky back on Aug. 10 at Saratoga. The Honor Code colt returned in new colors Wednesday with a brave sort of maiden special weight score, brushing with a rival off the turn before going on to a two-length victory at Belmont Park.

A private purchase since that first out race, Bellavia, who sold for $270,000 as a yearling, looked professional enough to go from the six-furlong win in 1:11.45 to a stakes race on the Derby trail such as the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.

The next destination will likely depend on where the bay colt pops up next on the work tab, as Pletcher will soon begin sending some of his top runners to Florida for the winter. But should Bellavia start breezing again in New York, the Nov. 30 Kentucky Jockey Club is followed on the Derby prep schedule by Aqueduct’s Dec. 7 Remsen Stakes (G2).

Under jockey Javier Castellano, Bellavia hit the gate at the break Wednesday, then came under a ride to make up the lost ground along the back stretch. The leader went in 23.19 for the opening quarter mile, and by the half-mile pole Bellavia had stuck a head in front in 47.23 seconds, buried on the rail in a three-wide duel for the lead.

Off the turn, Bellavia took total command. While runner-up Secret Rules looked ready to rally, though a bit green when drifting in the stretch, Bellavia continued on a much straighter path, finishing up quite quickly before galloping out in front.

In addition to LaPenta and Kumin's Madaket Stables, Bellavia, who's out of a Smoke Glacken mare, is campaigned by a partnership of Wonder Stables, Fred Rosen and GalloStables. He was previously trained by Jena Antonucci.

It’s likely Pletcher already has a contender ready to go the Remsen's 1 1/8 miles in Alpha Sixty Six, who went from a maiden win to be fifth in the Champagne Stakes (G1). The Kentucky Jockey Club runs at 1 1/16 miles, making for a smoother transition should Bellavia be ready for his two-turn debut.

Pletcher has two other notable 2-year-olds both finished for the year. Gouverneur Morris, second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), has joined Saratoga debut winner Glory Road for a winter break at WinStar Farm. They could return during Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet or perhaps at Tampa Bay Downs, where Pletcher has in recent years returned some of his top Derby prospects to the races, namely the 2017 winner Always Dreaming.