ANGELS FLIGHT STAKES

Fifth, beaten 10 lengths last time out by champion filly Songbird, trainer Phil D’Amato’s Bellamentary cut back in distance and dominated her opposition in taking Sunday’s $75,000 Angels Flight Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths under Martin Garcia. Breaking from the far outside in a field of eight sophomore fillies, Bellementary popped the gate, sat second to the far turn and took over approaching the quarter pole en route to getting seven furlongs in 1:22.10.

“She was sharp today and she’s always shown a lot of speed,” said D’Amato when asked if he thought the Kentucky-bred daughter of Bellamy Road would show so much early foot shortening up out of the Grade I, 1 1/16 miles Santa Anita Oaks on April 9. “She had a good post today and she’s always been a filly that travels well. I’d like to stretch her out (again). She’s got good tactical speed and a big stride.”

Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and R/M Racing, Bellamentary was off at 3-1 and paid $8.80, $4.00 and $3.20. The Angels Flight is her first stakes win and her third win (all at Santa Anita) from five overall starts. With the winner’s share of $47,400, she increased her earnings to $135,400.

“I had the best post and I got the best trip,” said Martin Garcia, who was aboard for the first time in the afternoon. “I’ve worked her a couple times and she’s getting more mature and she’s blossomed. Turning for home, I had a lot of confidence and I had a lot of horse.”

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Forever Darling split horses turning for home and outran longshot Kay Kay through the lane to finish second by 1 ¼ lengths. Of at 7-2, she paid $4.40 and $3.20.

Breaking from the rail, Kay Kay had two horses beat with three furlongs to go, saved ground around the turn and finished up well, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Everqueen. Off at 18-1 with Alonso Quinonez, Kay Kay paid $5.80 to show.

Lucky Folie, the solid 6-5 favorite, who sat a close third into the far turn and appeared full of run under Flavien Prat, flattened out badly the final furlong and finished fifth, 8 ½ lengths behind the winner.

Fractions on the race were 22.42, 44.87 and 1:09.31.