When the other elimination winner Azure Seelster (Filion) broke at the start, the complexion of the race changed entirely for the daughter of Shadow Play and Bell Bottom Pans, who was able to settle in the third spot behind Sudden Passing (Doug McNair) and Ashlees Sport (Chris Christoforou). After patiently tracking a :27.4 first quarter, Bob McClure angled Play The Bell first-over, and the pair gained into a :57 half mile before engaging Sudden Passing in a backstretch duel. The two threw down in a :28.2 third quarter, and Play The Bell asserted herself on approach to the far turn, putting Sudden Passing away with ease.
“I probably could have cleared halfway up the backside, but I was taking it easy,” said McClure of the Casie Coleman trainee. “Then, I just kept her attention all the way home. She was flicking her ears and looking at stuff, so I don’t think we’ve seen the bottom of her.”
Play The Bell drew off steadily through the stretch, amassing 6-1/4 lengths of clearance over Rendezvous Hanover (Callahan), who circled three-wide around stalled cover to claim second over the fading Sudden Passing. Lady Bubbles (James MacDonald) emerged out of traffic on the final turn and lifted late to finish third.
The West Wins Stable, Mac Nichol, and Calhoun Racing, Ltd. share ownership of Play The Bell.