Anderson, IN — On an evening where world champion Bulldog Hanover’s scintillating 1:46.3 track record proved a tough act to follow, Bella Bellini did exactly that as she trotted past her nine male rivals to convincingly capture the fifth edition of the $220,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, held Friday (Sept. 23) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, in a stakes record-equaling effort and track record 1:51.2 from post position 10.

Steered by Dexter Dunn, Bella Bellini was in fifth position for the first quarter mile as Jujubee (driven by Andy McCarthy) assumed command right as the mile began. After an initial fraction of :27, Cuatro De Julio wrested the lead from Jujubee and set middle split times of :56 and 1:23.4.

Meanwhile, Forbidden Trade (Bob McClure), the 2019 Hambletonian victor and last year’s winner, geared up to challenge with Jujubee also trotting strongly turning for home.

Bella Bellini appeared quite comfortable, but was in fifth and despite advancing to third in the final drive for the wire, it seemed she might have had too much work to do. The daughter of Bar Hopping-Bella Dolce, however, was poised to not only catch the leaders, but surpass them. With a powerful turn of foot, last year’s Hambletonian Oaks winner and Dan Patch Award winner kicked away from a surging Forbidden Trade and It’s Academic (David Miller) to provide Dunn his fourth triumph on the card.

Bella Bellini overcame a second-row start and lifted late to win the Caesars Trotting Classic. Dean Gillette Photography.

“I just sat back and waited with her,” said Dunn. “She is very intelligent, and nothing really bothers her. For some horses, the transition from three to four can be little difficult, but she’s come back stronger than ever.”

Trained by Richard “Nifty” Norman, the 4-year-old sports a resume of 40-18-10-5 and has banked $1.7 million.

Bella Bellini competes as a homebred for David McDuffee and beating males from tough posts has not proved to be a problem. The mare defeated males in the $432,000 Hambletonian Maturity on July 16 from post position 11, and she also finished third in the $170,450 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial on May 21.

Bella Bellini’s win gave Dunn a clean sweep of two feature events at the Anderson oval, but he gave all the credit to the mare.

“The great ones like her make you look good,” he said.

Bella Bellini paid $6.40 to win.