Lothenbach Stables Inc.'s Bell's the One returned to the Churchill Downs winner's circle for the first time in nine months after she rallied from last in the stretch and surged past pacesetters Joyful Cadence and Lovemesomeme inside the final sixteenth of a mile to win Saturday's inaugural running of the $200,000 Lady Tak by 1 ½ lengths.
Ridden by Corey Lanerie for trainer Neil Pessin, Bell's the One ran six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.22.
It was Bell's the One's 10th career stakes win and first in four tries this year. Her 2021 campaign includes wins in the Roxelana Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs; Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga; Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland; and Dream Supreme last November at Churchill Downs.
Joyful Cadence was the expected early leader in the compact field of five fillies and mares and rattled off the first quarter mile in :22.42 and the half in :45.42 with Lovemesomeme in close pursuit, who was followed by Music City Star, 4-5 favorite Sconsin and the trailing Bell's the One. Leaving the turn, Bell's the One commenced her wide rally and loomed boldly from the outside as she got up for the victory inside the final sixteenth of a mile.
“No matter what she always comes with a late kick and she did that today,” Lanerie said. “We sat a perfect trip behind the pacesetters and she really responded well when I asked her to go. She's a really special mare and I'm very thankful to be able to ride her.”
Joyful Cadence, the 5-1 third choice under Rey Gutierrez, paid $4.34 and $5.58. Lovemesomeme, with Brian Hernandez Jr. up, was another half-length back in third. Favorite Sconsin was fourth.
The win was worth $124,000 and improved Bell's the One's career earnings to $1,795,675 with a record of 12-5-3 in 26 starts. She's earned $952,325 from five wins and three seconds and one third in 11 career starts at Churchill Downs.
“She's taken us on a lot of journeys and I'm so thankful most of them have been successful here at Churchill,” Pessin said. “She's a special mare and backs that up every time on the track. They didn't go too fast on the lead but it was a contentious pace. She was able to rally past them and show the strong kick in the stretch.”
Bell's the One, who returned $4.82, is a 6-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection out of the Street Cry mare Street Mate and was bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones.
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