Kentucky-bred Bella Sofia surged to a dominating 4 ¼-length victory in Saratoga’s Test Stakes (G1) for sophomore fillies on Aug. 7
Owned by the partnership of Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, Mazel Stable Partners and Matthew Mercurio, Bella Sofia entered the Test off a 6 ½-length allowance score at Belmont Park in July. The daughter of Awesome Patriot left little doubt who was best in the Test
Ridden by Luis Saez, Bella Sofia stalked the pace of Illumination in the early stages of the seven-furlong contest. She moved to the leader in the three-path around the far turn and grabbed command into the stretch before kicking clear inside the three-sixteenths. She drifted out some in the lane but proved much the best, winning as she pleased in 1:21.54 for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.
“She broke perfectly,” said Saez. “We were looking for that spot right there to sit and make a run into the stretch. She did it so well and so beautifully. She came through the stretch pretty smoothly.”
Rodriguez said, “I know we asked a lot. We’re just happy to have her in the barn. The day she broke her maiden, she put everybody away impressively. She was training good. She was nice and comfortable, and she was running very well for him (Saez), and when he asked her, she was there for him.”
Bred in Kentucky by Two Tone Farms, the $20,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales graduate, is produced rom the Consolidator mare Love Contract. The Test was the initial stakes victory for Bella Sofia who finished second in the Jersey Girl Stakes at Belmont on June 6 in just her second career start. The $275,000 winner’s share of the purse increased Bella Sofia’s bankroll to $405,100.