Two of the previous three editions of Santa Anita Park's $100,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3T) have been won by trainer Phil D'Amato. This year, when he saddles not one but three live contenders with April 27, the conditioner will look to take yet another rendition of the mile turf contest for older fillies and mares.
Bellabel, the grade 2-winning mare, is the leader of the D'Amato trio. Owned jointly by Agave Racing Stable, Ray Pagano, Michael Nentwig, Benowitz Family Trust, and CYBT, the Irish import had made a big impression during her debut season in North America. She finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup races (G1T) and second in the Del Mar Oaks (G1T) in 2022, in addition to winning two races, including the San Clemente Stakes (G2T). After that, the 5-year-old Belardo's daughter remained out of commission for about 16 months before making a comeback in the Santa Anita Megahertz Stakes (G3T) on February 3. Bellabel delivered a performance that left the Megahertz in disbelief, defeating rivals Justique and Mouffy in a gate-to-wire fashion.
With Flavien Prat, her rider in her last two starts, in Louisville, Ky., over the weekend to work Kentucky Derby (G1) mount Catching Freedom, Antonio Fresu has the call on Bellabel.
D'Amato is also scheduled to ride The Elkstone Group's Uncorked and Lakota Spirit, who hasn't won since a Del Mar allowance optional claiming score in November of last year. The latter, a mare with Australian breeding, will be making her debut appearance after moving to D'Amato's barn. Uncorked, who was last seen placing third in the Nov. 19 Forever Together Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, was previously trained by Brittany Russell.