Hallie Belle battled with Multiple Graded Stakes winner Hawksmoor through the stretch before getting her nose down on the wire to take the $100,000 Dahlia Stakes at Laurel Park.
It was the second Stakes victory for the four-year-old filly by Medaglia d’Oro, who improved her record to four wins in seven career starts. The Godolphin representative concluded her three-year-old season with a win in the Pago Hop Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Settled near the rear of the field through the early stages of the race, Hallie Belle began closing on the leaders on the far turn. Stuck behind a wall of horses at the top of the stretch, Hallie Belle burst through a narrow gap between rivals with just a furlong left to run. Displaying a sharp turn of foot, the filly quickly drew even with favored Hawksmoor, and the duo battled to the finish line, with Hallie Belle getting the victory in a photo finish.
Bred in Kentucky by Darley and racing for Godolphin, Hallie Belle is out of the Empire Maker mare Charity Belle, winner of the G3 Prix de la Nonette. Charity Belle’s dam, Sweet Charity, is out of Banker’s Lady, winner of the G1 Ladies Handicap, G1 Top Flight, and G1 Shuvee during her stellar racing career.
Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of top 2018 Kentucky Derby contenders Bolt d’Oro and Enticed, winners of the G2 San Felipe and G3 Gotham Stakes, respectively. The stallion was also the sire of seven G1 winners in 2017, more than any other stallion in North America. His G1 winners last year included two Breeders’ Cup winners – Talismanic (Turf) and Bar Of Gold (Filly & Mare Sprint).
Medaglia d’Oro stands for a fee of $250,000 stands and nurses, at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky.
