Bella Medaglia Scores at Fair Grounds

Coteau Grove Farms’ Bella Medaglia collared Maggi Moss’s favored Little Polka Dot in mid-stretch and then drew off for a 5 3/4-length score in the $49,000 allowance optional claiming filly and mare race that headlined Friday’s evening’s Starlight Racing program at Fair Grounds.

The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, trained by Glenn Delahoussaye and ridden by Kerwin Clark, toured the one mile and 70-yard distance in 1:42.51, increased her career earnings to $99,090 with her second win in seven lifetime starts and returned mutuels of $7.20, $5.20 and $3.60 as the second choice in the wagering.

On The Mark Stable’s Jill Marie, never far back, continued willingly late to gain the place while finishing a head to the good of the front-running Little Polka Dot, who established early splits of 23.84 and 47.30 but weakened in the final furlong.

Jill Marie paid $9.40 and $4.80 while Little Polka Dot returned $2.40 for the show.