If seeking a classic example of a horse needing a race, look no further than Calumet homebred Bali Belle in today’s fifth in Hallandale Beach. And there are reasons why an improvement should be expected here.
First, her three-year-old debut was highly promising. After racing steadily in her three starts at 2, Christophe Clement had her ready to go in her return to the races up north, a turf course far less glib than the one she will race on today.
The pace she finished behind was solid, setting the pace for her late kick. It came but she tired at the end when outrun in the final stages, beaten a mere neck but hold the show finisher at bay 3-1/2 lengths behind.
Solid fractions, solid late kick, in fast time overall, vs. 11 rivals, which can be attributed to two variables. First, she obviously made a solid transition from 2 to 3 and the addition of Lasix certainly didn’t hurt.
The Calumet miss received expert inside-out handling and stayed very well after menacing but could not match her rival in the final strides. See Tampa Bay Downs, MAR 12, Race 12 to verify.
Bali Belle’s Thoro-Graph rating gives her a clear edge and a repeat of that effort gets it dome here over a nice group of maidens and given the $50,000 purse, a serious run is in the offing. Turf ace Miguel Vasquez takes the call.
We; taking Bali Belle to win at 2-1 or greater and quinellas with first-Lasix Linda’s Gift (7-2) for the came-alive Weaver barn and Therearenorules (9-2), sitting on an explosive effort for Tom Proctor and Emisael Jaramillo.
