Bell's the One edges Serengeti Empress in Derby City Distaff
The sky seemed to be the limit for Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One following her smashing victory in the Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs in May. That ascent stalled a bit when she finished a non-threatening third in the tough Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland.
A return to Churchill proved to be just what the 4-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection needed to return to her best form in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Derby City Distaff.
9-5 favorite Serengeti Empress set her usual blazing fraction early. She was tracked by Bellafina and Ce Ce while going :43.77 for the half. After putting away Bellafina, she gradually separated from Ce Ce in the lane before Bell's the One got rolling.
Serengeti Empress battled inside, but the momentum of Bell's the One could not be stopped. She got her nose down just in time to win a thrilling edition of the Derby City Distaff race over Serengeti Empress, who was fresh off a Grade 1 win in the Ballerina at Saratoga.
Sally's Curlin edged out Ce Ce for third.
It was a masterful ride for the 10-time leading jockey at Churchill Downs, Corey Lanerie.
“The race set up just like I thought, Lanerie said. "I was hoping someone would go with Serengeti Empress. I figured Bellafina would press her and Johnny (Velazquez on Ce Ce) would be sitting third in the catbird seat. I thought she might be hard to get by coming off a 1 1/16-mile race, but my filly has her style. I let her stay back there because I know when I call on her, she has a turn of foot like no tomorrow."
Bell's the One's victory marked the first Grade 1 win of trainer Neil Pessin's career.
“I’ve been Grade I-placed but have never had a Grade I winner, Pessin said. "I’ve had a bunch of Grade II and Grade III winners. Never a Grade I. I thought I’d gone by her, and then I thought she came back. I wasn’t sure if we’d won, second or dead-heated. It was just too close to call. I knew it was pretty close and I didn’t know who won.”
Bell's the One completed the seven-furlong trip in 1:21.07 and paid $10.40 to win. She improved her career record to 14: 7-2-1 with the victory.