Moyglare Stud Farm's homebred Bellezza turned a patient trip around Aqueduct Racetrack's turf course May 2 into her first graded stakes win in the $169,750 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G3T).
Making her first start in the United States with trainer Christophe Clement, the 4-year-old bay Siyouni filly stalked the pace throughout the 1 3/8-mile test for older fillies and mares. Jockey Jaime Rodriguez glided in third behind pacesetter Whatlovelookslike and favorite Beach Bomb, an order that remained unchanged through six furlongs in 1:18.87 and a mile in 1:43.83.
At the top the stretch, Beach Bomb took command while an opening along the rail appeared as Whatlovelookslike faded. Rodriguez and Bellezza took advantage of the opening and surged to a 1 1/2-length victory over Beach Bomb in a final time of 2:18.29. Silvology closed for third another 1 1/2 lengths back.
"We always liked her this winter. She behaved like a nice filly and worked good," said Clement's assistant Christophe Lorieul. "They went :52.2 to the half, they were crawling. (Rodriguez) stuck to the rail and had a great trip. When it opened up, she stuck out her neck and went all the way through. It was a great performance."
The Sheepshead also is the first graded win for Rodriguez.
Bellezza won her first stakes last year in the Diamond Stakes at Dundalk. She now has a 3-2-1 record from eight career starts and earnings of $159,122.
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