Bellera dueled with Gold Standard for much of the race before putting that rival away on her way to claiming a one-and-three-quarter length victory in the G3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 29.
It was the first Graded Stakes win for the three-year-old daughter of Bernardini, who now boasts a record of three wins and two second-place finishes in six career starts.
Bellera broke alertly and was forwardly placed by jockey John Velazquez, as she prompted the pace being set by Gold Standard (by Medaglia d’Oro) through the early stages of the race. As the field entered the homestretch, Bellera went to the lead and began to pull away, eventually crossing the wire an easy winner.
Arrifana got up for second, with Gold Standard hanging on for third.
Bellera was bred in Florida by Hardacre Farm LLC and is out of the multiple Graded Stakes-placed mare, Habiboo. In addition to Bellera, Habiboo is the dam of Life Imitates Art, winner of the G3 Dania Beach Stakes. Habiboo herself is a half-sister to multiple G1 winner and Darley stallion, Street Boss.
Bernardini has sired over 70 Stakes winners. In addition to Bellera, Bernardini is represented by 2019 Stakes winners Capezzano (G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3), Cherry Lodge (Ladies’ Turf Sprint Stakes), Desert Isle (Zadracarta Stakes), Micheline (Sorority Stakes) and Crescentcitypretty (Azalea Stakes).
Bernardini will stand 2020 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for a fee of $40,000, stands and nurses.
