Bella Ballerina went from maiden winner to Graded Stakes winner in just her second career start with a determined half-length victory over Atropa in the G2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, Nov. 29.
The two-year-old daughter of Street Sense handled both the jump into Graded Stakes competition and her stretch out to two turns with aplomb, digging in gamely in the stretch to hold off the late bid from Atropa to get the win. The Godolphin homebred also earned her connections 10 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Bella Ballerina caught a flyer from the outside stall and was soon in front, but that was short-lived as Letmecounttheways zipped past and went to the front, setting swift fractions of :23.45 and :46.31 through the opening half mile.
Bella Ballerina, who was sitting two lengths behind the leader in second, made her move at the top of the stretch, overhauling Letmecounttheways for the lead and quickly opening up by almost four lengths. Both Atropa and Just Singing loomed as threats, however, as Bella Ballerina began to get a bit weary in deep stretch. Despite that, Bella Ballerina dug in gamely to hold off her challengers to get the victory.
Bred in Kentucky, Bella Ballerina is out of the Tapit mare, Pretty City Dancer, winner of the G1 Spinaway Stakes. Bella Ballerina is a half sister to Champion 3-year-old filly and three-time G1 winner (Kentucky Oaks, Test Stakes, Acorn Stakes), Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief).
In addition to Bella Ballerina, Street Sense is also represented this year by La Cara, winner of both the G1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes and G1 Acorn Stakes; future Darley stallion First Mission, winner of the G2 Oaklawn Handicap; Serendipity (G3 Selene Stakes), Street Beast (Global Tote Juvenile Mile), and Proctor Street (Listed Cardinal Stakes).
Street Sense will stand the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $40,000, stands and nurses.
