Bella Bellini romps in $148,550 Matron

Three-year-old trotting filly Bella Bellini added to her million-dollar plus harness racing season Thursday at Dover Downs as Dexter Dunn drove her to a romp in winning the $148,550 Matron Stakes.

The sixth race feature got underway with You Ato Dream (Jeff Gregory) leaving from post six and grinding their way past Iterations (Brian Sears) to take command.

Already on the move was Moni For Lindy (Yannick Gingras) past the first quarter mile in :27.3. They raced to the half mile in :56 and that was when Dunn started Bella Bellini first-up from fourth place.

Brushing down the backstretch, Bella Bellini was able to collar and pass by Moni For Lindy at the three-quarters in 1:23.4. From there Bella Bellini continued to pull away from the field, winning by six open lengths in 1:52.2.

You Ato Dream came on for second place with Iteration third.

It was the third straight win and 11^th victory on the year for Bella Bellini. The Bar Hopping filly, trained by Nifty Norman is owned by David McDuffee of Delray Beach, FL and paid just $2.40 to win. She now sports earnings this year of $1,091,335.

BELLA BELLINI REPLAY

“We got away handy enough,” said Dexter Dunn. “There was not that much early speed. No real concerns. She has so much speed for a trotting filly.

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink