Ciao Bella and Havant step down in class at Gulfstream Park
The 1 7/16 miles turf race at Gulfstream Park on 26 December, 2012, will be the headliner. That is not all, as the second-level allowance has reeled in a graded stakes-caliber field to run for a bargain of a purse of $57,500.
The main event at Gulfstream Park has attracted the likes of 3-year-old filly Ciao Bella, who is trained by Todd Pletcher for owner Michael B. Tabor. Ciao Bella will renew acquaintances with Freddie Head trained 4-year-old filly, Havant, as both of them squared off recently in the Grade 3 La Prevoyante Handicap at Calder Race Course.
James Wigan owned Havant was sent as the 4 to 5 favourite to win the race, but she was reeling in the 1 ½ mile turf test, and faded to finish third. While, Ciao Bella couldn’t reel back the longshot, Closing Range, who defeated her in second to win the race in the 2 minutes and 27.54 seconds.
Great Britain bred Havant was making her second start on North American soil, and she was transferred to trainer Christophe Clement this fall, who started her in the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes going 1 ¼ miles at Woodbine.
Havant didn’t have a good trip there, as she went on to finish fifth to winner, Siyouma. However, after a disappointing run, trainer Christophe Clement is optimistic of her chances in the allowance race at Gulfstream Park.
“I thought she ran well,” said Clement, who trains Havant for owner James Wigan. “She got a little flat the last quarter of a mile. I thought she looked good at the three-eighths pole but did not finish the race quite like we expected.”
The Roger Attfield trained 4-year-old filly, Janicellaine, has been hitting the board consistently in stakes races recently, and she was a graded stakes placed finisher in her last race, the Grade 3 My Charmer Stakes at Calder.
In the Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes, Janicellaine, ran against Ciao Bella, and couldn’t contain her as she finished third and Ciao Bella second to winner Upperline.
However, Ciao Bella winless in both La Prevoyante Handicap and Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes, will fancy her chances in the Gulfstream Park’s turf test.
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