NEW ORLEANS (Friday, December 18, 2009) – Coteau Grove Farms’ Bella Medaglia proved herself to be an good candidate for gold medal stardom in Fair Grounds’ upcoming series for 3-year-old fillies later in the season when she came from off the pace to be best by three lengths when facing seven well-bred 2-year-old maiden rivals in Friday’s $43,000 Fair Grounds feature at a mile and 40 yards.

The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, trained by Glenn Delahoussaye and ridden by John Jacinto, paid $8.40, $3.80 and $2.80, toured the distance in 1:42.35, and increased her career earnings to $34,400 while scoring her first win in two lifetime starts.

Tamaroak Stable’s Josaka finished second, returning $3.40 and $3 while 3 3/4-lengths in front of third-place finisher Youjustcantbeter, who paid $7.40 to show.

Mary Lou Whitney Stables’ Golden Birdie, trained by Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes-winning trainer Tim Ice, made the pace in Friday's feature with splits of 24.95 and 49.93 before tiring to finish eighth.

Racing resumes Saturday at Fair Grounds with its banner Santa Super Saturday program, featuring nine stakes on a 13-race card. First post for Santa Super Saturday is 12 noon.