Belloma Takes Next Step in Cal Breeders'

It was no surprise to trainer Dan Hendricks that Belloma broke her maiden in style at first asking. She led throughout to win a 6 ½ furlong maiden allowance race at Hollywood Park by a length and three-quarters on Nov. 26. Next up: Monday’s $100,000 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Monday.

“She was professional and showed a good way of going from the start,” Hendricks said of the daughter of Yankee Gentleman owned by Judi Partridge of Yorba Linda. “She worked nicely out of the gate before her first race and ran the same way. She worked so well here I don’t foresee any problem going from synthetic to dirt.”

Belloma worked five furlongs on Santa Anita’s fast main track Wednesday in 1:01. Hendricks has “some 20 horses for this meet.” Asked if it was a good number for him, he said, “You always want more.”

The field for the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes for fillies, which goes as the first race: Tangerine Tickle, Hector Berrios; Almost a Lady, Joel Rosario; Willa B Awesome, Martin Pedroza; Warren’s Amber, Victor Espinoza; Belloma, Martin Garcia; and Ismene, Mike Smith.