Effortless Breeders Crown repeat in Open Mare Trot

Bella Bellini (Bar Hopping) steamrolled off cover to kick off the Breeders Crown harness racing events in the $472,5000 Open Mare Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Oct. 29).

The mare dropped in behind the leaving group and sat fifth for the opening quarter of ;27. Dexter Dunn pulled the right line nearing the half in :55.3 and flushed out When Dovescry (Dave Miller) for cover going into the turn.

They reeled in leader Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) on the road to three-quarters in 1:24.1, but there was still much work to do as they entered the stretch. It was no trouble for Bella Bellini though, as Dunn fed her open racetrack and she unfurled her wings. The mare blew by her rivals with no urging needed from Dunn to win her second Breeders Crown in 1:51.1.

Atlanta held second in her final Breeders Crown attempt. Refined (Doug McNair) split horses late for third.

BELLA BELLINI REPLAY

Bella Bellini, a homebred for David McDuffee of Delray Beach, became a double millionaire – total earnings of $2,062,901 – with the victory. She has won 19 of her 43 starts, including the 2021 Breeders Crown three-year-old filly trot. Nifty Norman trains the mare, whose 2022 season highlights include the Hambletonian Maturity, Caesars Trotting Classic, Steele Memorial, and other Grand Circuit events.

To read all the ongoing coverage of the 2022 Breeders Crown, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink