Del Mar: Bellstreet Bridie flies in from Europe, wins Red Carpet
Bellstreet Bridie came off the plane running at Del Mar, laying up close early and then firing through the lane in the Grade 3, $151,500 Red Carpet Stakes, the 1 3/8-mile turf feature on the Thanksgiving Day card.
The 3-year-old filly by the British sire Sir Percy had just shipped in from England earlier this week after a 12-race career in her native land. She ran Thurday’s marathon distance in 2:15.67 and finished 4 1/4 lengths the best under jockey Flavien Prat.
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“I didn’t know much about her,” Prat said. “It’s my understanding she’s only been here (from Europe) for a few days. (Trainer Mark Glatt) didn’t know much either, so we were even. She jumped well, and that made me happy. I was able to put her in the race. Sometimes with the European horses, they don’t come away from there too well. But she was running all the way, and then when it was time, she finished up strong.”
The stakes win was the first of the fall meet and the first in the Red Carpet for both Prat and Glatt. Prat has 81 stakes wins at Del Mar, 10th best among jockeys. Glatt has 13 stakes triumphs at Del Mar.
“They did a terrific job with her overseas after we purchased her, keeping her fit, keeping her ready for this race,” Glatt said. “Really, all my job to do was to keep her happy and as strong as we could after a long ship like that. I’m just pleased to get that kind of start with her after spending a good amount of money on her. We got her Grade 3 placed now.”
Jed and Tim Cohen were the owners of the winner and second-place Quattroelle. They race under names Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal. Jed lives in Los Angeles and Tim in Del Mar, Calif.
Queen Ofthe Temple, owned by Featherston, Gold and Maslowski, finished third.
Bellestreet Bridie earned $90,000 and pushed her earnings to $135,316. The victory was her fourth in 13 starts. She paid $10.00, $5.20 and $3.80; Quattroelle $4.40 and $3.40; and Queen Ofthe Temple $7.40.