Belle Hill, already a multiple stakes winner, got her first graded win on Saturday with a half-length score in the $100,000 Autumn S. at Santa Anita Park.
The 3-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa came into the Autumn Miss riding a three race winning streak, all in stakes at Emerald Downs. Hustled along early by Leslie Mawing, Belle Hill was about three lengths off the lead after half-mile in a quick :45.43.
Into the final turn, Belle Hill and Paulina’s Love moved together to the front with about three furlongs to run. Belle Hill, on the outside, lost a bit of momentum straightening for home, but gathered herself and wore down her foe to win in 1:35.10 for the mile on the “good” turf.
“It’s always good to win. I’ve been up north at Golden Gate and I’ve been watching the races down here all week,” said Mawing. “It seemed like speed was holding so I didn’t want to be too far out of it. I wanted to keep my horse comfortable but not be pushing on her. This is her first time on the turf but her mom is a turf champion up in Canada so that helped having it in her pedigree. She took to the turf good.”
Belle Hill is Sky Mesa’s third graded stakes winner, and sixth black type winner overall, of the year. Owned by Aithon Stable LLC, she is now 5-0-1 in seven starts and has earned $173,220.
Belle Hill was bred in Kentucky by Eugene Melnyk. Out of the 2007 Canadian Horse of the Year, Champion Turf Female, and Champion 3-Year Old Filly Sealy Hill, Belle Hill is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Hillaby.
