West Point Thoroughbreds’ 5-year-old mare Belle of the Hall will head to California for the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita on November 3.
A daughter of Graeme Hall trained by Tom Albertrani, Belle of the Hall is coming off a big effort in the Valor Lady Stakes on October 3 at Belmont Park. She was inadvertently scratched the morning of the race before being allowed to race for purse money only.
West Point Thoroughbreds’ 5-year-old mare Belle of the Hall will head to California for the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita on November 3.
A daughter of Graeme Hall trained by Tom Albertrani, Belle of the Hall is coming off a big effort in the Valor Lady Stakes on October 3 at Belmont Park. She was inadvertently scratched the morning of the race before being allowed to race for purse money only.
Click here to read more about the race.
With six wins to her credit, Belle of the Hall has earned over $433,000 in her career. As a 3-year-old she captured the Jostle and Catinca Stakes, and was third in the Test (G1) at Saratoga. This year she won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park and was second in the Marta Stakes at Belmont before finishing a closing fourth in three straight graded stakes events, including the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga.
“This mare looks and trains as good as ever,” said Albertrani. “She’s been within two lengths of some of the division leaders this year. There should be a ton of speed in the race, and things could set up very well for her.”
“After the Valor Lady, Tom and I looked at all options,” said WPT president Terry Finley. “This mare is in a good form cycle right now and deserves a shot in the big dance. We met with the Partners to talk about the decision, and they’re very, very excited. We have a sound, hard knocking mare on our hands who’s coming off one of the best efforts of her career.”
Belle of the Hall worked a half mile in 49:71 (63 of 106) on Sunday at Belmont Park. She’s expected to have her final breeze in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup early next week before flying to California on Tuesday along with a number of New York-based Breeders’ Cup contenders. Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the return call after guiding this mare to victory last time out.
Belle of the Hall is entered in the Fasig-Tipton November Sale on Monday, November 5 in Lexington, KY. Click here to view the catalogue.
Good luck to the Belle of the Hall Partners! Enjoy the ride.
