Bellamentary Dominates Opposition in Angel Flight

Fifth, beaten 10 lengths last time out by champion filly Songbird, trainer Phil D’Amato’s Bellamentary cut back in distance and dominated her opposition in taking Sunday’s $75,000 Angels Flight Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths under Martin Garcia.  Breaking from the far outside in a field of eight sophomore fillies, Bellementary popped the gate, sat second to the far turn and took over approaching the quarter pole en route to getting seven furlongs in 1:22.10.

“She was sharp today and she’s always shown a lot of speed,” said D’Amato when asked if he thought the Kentucky-bred daughter of Bellamy Road would show so much early foot shortening up out of the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Santa Anita Oaks on April 9.  “She had a good post today and she’s always been a filly that travels well.  I’d like to stretch her out (again).  She’s got good tactical speed and a big stride.”

Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and R/M Racing, Bellamentary was off at 3-1 and paid $8.80, $4.00 and $3.20.  The Angels Flight is her first stakes win and her third win (all at Santa Anita) from five overall starts.  With the winner’s share of $47,400, she increased her earnings to $135,400.

“I had the best post and I got the best trip,” said Martin Garcia, who was aboard for the first time in the afternoon.  “I’ve worked her a couple times and she’s getting more mature and she’s blossomed. Turning for home, I had a lot of confidence and I had a lot of horse.”

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Forever Darling split horses turning for home and outran longshot Kay Kay through the lane to finish second by 1 ¼ lengths.  Of at 7-2, she paid $4.40 and $3.20.

Breaking from the rail, Kay Kay had two horses beat with three furlongs to go, saved ground around the turn and finished up well, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Everqueen.  Off at 18-1 with Alonso Quinonez, Kay Kay paid $5.80 to show.

Lucky Folie, the solid 6-5 favorite, who sat a close third into the far turn and appeared full of run under Flavien Prat, flattened out badly the final furlong and finished fifth, 8 ½ lengths behind the winner.

Fractions on the race were 22.42, 44.87 and 1:09.31.