Race of the Week Gold Strike Mile (Filly Division)
Bella Mariella and Meow Wow provided Wow factor down the stretch
The top two finishers in the Filly Division of the Gold Strike Mile weren’t a surprise, but it was the way the Friday co-feature ended that provided the thrill of the weekend.
Bella Mariella, trained by Marty Drexler, was the overwhelming favourite for the second running of the Gold Strike Mile for Manitoba bred 3-year-olds. Sitting outside of Meow Wow throughout, the two Battle Cat fillies went head to head down the backstretch. They were joined by another Battle Cat filly, Benzerella, going into the turn three abreast.
Bella Mariella appeared to get the lead at the top of the stretch, but the battle continued with the Randy Gray trained Meow Wow, coming back in mid-stretch to get her head in front. At the wire the winner was decided by a bob of the head with Bella Mariella getting her nose in front.
Both Bella Mariella and Meow Wow came into the Gold Strike Mile after finishing second and fourth behind easy winner Queen Tina in the $50,000 R. C. Anderson Stakes. Benzerella, also trained by Randy Gray, went wide coming into the stretch and hung on for third.
