Gulfstream: Bellavais Rides Rail to Victory in $150,000 Marshua’s River (G3)

By David Joseph —-

Bellavais; Kenny Martin Photo

Bellavais Rides Rail to Victory in $150,000 Marshua’s River (G3)
Jockey Castellano Sweeps Graded Turf Stakes on Saturday Program

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Bortolazzo Stable’s Bellavais, already a multiple stakes winner, shot through an opening along the inside in mid-stretch and sprinted clear for her first career graded-stakes triumph in Saturday’s $150,000 Marshua’s River at Gulfstream Park.

The 17th running of the 1 1/16-mile Marshua’s River for fillies and mares 4 and older was the second of two graded turf stakes on a 12-race program, following the $100,000 Tropical Turf (G3) for 4-year-olds and up at one mile.

Bellevais’ victory gave Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano – the Championship Meet’s leading rider from 2012-2016 – a sweep of the two stakes, having upset favored Heart to Heart in the Tropical Turf with Doctor Mounty. The winning time was 1:41.98 over a firm course.

“This is why you work hard, to have a day like this. Everything was good today,” Castellano said “Before the race, I thought the horse might be better on the outside but the hole opened. Those kinds of things you just have to use your best judgement, and it worked out perfect.”

It was the third win in four years in the Marshua’s River for both Castellano and trainer Todd Pletcher, who swept back-to-back editions of the race in 2016 and 2017. Pletcher has won an unprecedented 15 consecutive Championship Meet training titles.

“I loved the way she was training coming into the race,” Pletcher said. “She drew the rail and Javier’s plan was to try to save ground and maybe tip out at some point, but a hole opened up and she shot through it like a star.”

I’m Betty G was in front through a quarter-mile in 24.07 seconds and a half in 48.34, pressed to her outside by Grade 3 winner La Signare, a narrow 2-1 favorite, with Valedictorian and Bellevais close behind in a battle for third. I’m Betty G maintained her advantage after six furlongs in 1:1204, leading a tightly bunched group into the stretch until Castellano found daylight and gave Bellavais her cue, and they drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths.

I’m Betty G held on for second, a head in front of Valedictorian. Bombshell got up for fourth at 10-1, followed by 45-1 long shot Hogans Holiday, La Signare, Rose Tree and Monte Crista.

“I had a perfect trip, dream trip,” Castellano said. “Unfortunately, I had a little trouble with her last time and tried to split horses and cut the corner and it was tight. I tried to anticipate and it cost me the race. Today, I thought the extra distance was going to help her a little bit. It worked out great. There was a lot of speed in the race. It folded and I was saving all the ground.”

Bellavais was fourth in the one-mile My Charmer (G3) Dec. 15 at Gulfstream, a race where she tracked the leaders but encountered trouble in the stretch and made contact with the rail yet still was beaten only 3 ¼ lengths.

“Unfortunately it rained that day and she had just come off running a mile in 1:33 at Belmont on firm ground, and I think they ran a mile in 1:39 that day to give you an idea how soft the inside course was,” Pletcher said. “Plus, she got in a little trouble last time and got bounced off the rail and that didn’t help. I still think she’s classy enough that she’ll try on any ground, but she prefers it firm.”

$150,000 Marshua’s River (G3) Quotes

Trainer Todd Pletcher (Bellavais): “I think a couple things about the last race. Unfortunately it rained that day and she had just coming off running a mile in 1:33 at Belmont on firm ground and I think they ran a mile in 1:39 that day to give you an idea how soft the inside course was.”

“She came back and I loved the way she was training coming into the race She drew the rail and Javier’s plan was to try to save ground and maybe tip out at some point, but a hole opened and she shot through like a star.”

“We’ll probably look at possibly running back here one more time before the meet’s over. I think firm ground is key, plus she got in a little trouble last time and got bounced off the rail and that didn’t help. I still think she’s classy enough that she’ll try on any ground but she prefers it firm.”

Jockey Javier Castellano (Bellavais): “I had a perfect trip, dream trip. Unfortunately, I had a little trouble with her last time and tried to split horses and cut the corner and it was tight, I tried to anticipate and it cost me the race. Today, I thought the extra distance was going to help her a little bit. It worked out great. There was a lot of speed in the race. It folded and I was saving all the ground. Before the race I thought the horse might be better on the outside but the hole opened and those kinds of things you just have to use your best judgement and it worked out great today.”

Winning Owner: Bortolazzo Stable LLC
Winning Margin: 3 ½ lengths
Winning Time: 1:41.98

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry. For more information contact David Joseph at david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com or call 954.457.6451.