From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2021) — Kaleem Shah’s Bella Vita sat a good trip, then zoomed to the lead at the head of the stretch and went on to a length and a half victory in the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Golden State Series fillies and mares at Del Mar Sunday, the day after the two-day Breeders’ Cup Championships had been presented at the seaside oval.
The 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Bayern, out of the Storm Cat mare Queenie Cat, was bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, was making her 13th career start and registering her fourth victory. She also shows five seconds and with the $57,000 share of the winner’s purse she boosted her bankroll to $346,722.
Del Mar’s leading rider, Flavien Prat, was aboard the bay miss as he won his fifth consecutive edition of the Betty Grable. The winner is trained by Simon Callaghan.
“This looked like a good opportunity (for Bella Vita) back on dirt,” said Callaghan. “She’s definitely a dirt filly. We tried turf last time because it was a restricted Cal-bred race but she shows she’s a decent dirt filly and this was a good spot for her.”
Bella Vita covered the seven furlongs of the Betty Grable in 1:22.32
Finishing second was Benjamin and Sally Warren’s Warren’s Showtime, a length and three-quarters ahead of Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal’s Big Sweep.
Bella Vita, favored at 3-5, paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10 across the board. Warren’s Showtime returned $3.00 and $2.20, while Big Sweep paid $2.40.
Racing will resume at Del Mar on Friday with first post for the eight-race card at 12:30 p.m.