WINMANWIN
03-11-2003, 09:55 PM
The third-place finish by Bella Bellucci in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap on Sunday was the final start of the 4-year-old filly's career. Trainer Neil Drysdale said Tuesday the gray daughter of French Deputy was retired from racing and would leave for Kentucky March 19 to be bred. Thunder Gulch was being considered as the stallion.
Purchased for $925,000 at a 2-year-old sale in 2001, Bella Bellucci won her first two starts at 2 and then ran third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Belmont Park. At age 3, she won 3 of 6, including the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct. This winter at Santa Anita, Bella Bellucci raced four times - fourth in the La Brea, second in the El Encino, and third in the La Canada. Owned by Michael Tabor, Bella Bellucci retires having won 5 of 12 and $511,820.
Purchased for $925,000 at a 2-year-old sale in 2001, Bella Bellucci won her first two starts at 2 and then ran third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Belmont Park. At age 3, she won 3 of 6, including the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct. This winter at Santa Anita, Bella Bellucci raced four times - fourth in the La Brea, second in the El Encino, and third in the La Canada. Owned by Michael Tabor, Bella Bellucci retires having won 5 of 12 and $511,820.