Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey
Dan Illman, DRF
Like fine wine, Bel Pensiero improves with age, and the 4-year-old filly prompted the pacesetter under jockey Ramon Moya before pouncing her way to victory in the $85,000 Pinot Grigio Handicap for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares racing five furlongs on turf.
Trained by Anthony Margotta Jr. for Hudson Stable, Let It Ride Equine Holdings and A R M Racing, Bel Pensiero broke best, then let a hard-ridden Let Her Run make the lead from the inside.
Let Her Run clocked the opening quarter in 22 seconds flat with Bel Pensiero in closest attendance. In behind those two were race favorite Bingo’s Birkin on the outside and defending Pinot Grigio winner Mia’s Crusade in a comfortable pocket position.
Bel Pensiero took over for good turning into the stretch and, despite failing to change leads in the stretch, always had enough in the tank to deny Bingo’s Birkin by three-quarters of a length in 56.67.
Mia’s Crusade finished another two lengths back in third. Summer’s Comin, Delightful Ava, Let Her Run and Captured Darling completed the order of finish. Amazing Graces Joy and Sea Maiden Scratched.
Bel Pensiero returned $13 to win as the fourth choice in the wagering.
Bred by ARM Consulting, Bel Pensiero is a daughter of Army Mule out of Milaya, a four-time winner by Eskendereya. The second dam, Trendy Lady, was Grade 3-placed sprinting on polytrack.
A winner sprinting on dirt from four starts at two, Bel Pensiero was walked off the track when failing to complete the course in her 3-year-old debut, the Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream.
Margotta then decided to focus on state bred races with Bel Pensiero, and the filly perked up, winning allowances sprinting on turf and routing on dirt while placing in two other starts.
Bel Pensiero became a true stakes horse in 2024. She finished second in the six-furlong Regret on dirt at Monmouth on July 24, ran fifth in the Incredible Revenge at five-eighths on the turf, then tuned up for the Pinot Grigio with a runner-up placing in the restricted Eleven North Stakes at three-quarters on dirt on Aug. 25.
Bel Pensiero has won 4 of 15 races for earnings of $284,937.