Street Sense’s Bella Ballerina Heads ‘Rising Star’ 1-2 In Golden Rod

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin homebred BELLA BALLERINA (f, 2, Street Sense–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit), whose lone previous trip to the post resulted in a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard-worthy debut sprinting over six furlongs at Keeneland Oct. 5, successfully stretched out to two turns Saturday afternoon, hitting the front at midstretch before holding off a late lunge from fellow 'Rising Star' Atropa (Into Mischief) in the GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. The winner earns 10 points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Bet down from a morning line of 10-1 to be just over 4-1 at the off–in large measure owing to the scratching of 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Explora (Blame)–Bella Ballerina caught a flyer from the outside stall and was soon in front, but that was short-lived as the undefeated New York-bred Letmecounttheways (Yaupon) speared through and went winging on the front end through unsustainable fractions of :23.45 and :46.31.

With the pacesetter odds-on to feel the pinch as push came to shove, Bella Ballerina found herself in the right spot to have first crack, and they hit the lead as Letmecounttheways predictably hoisted the white flag. Atropa, a 10-length maiden winner first-time long in her most recent start, began to make inroads as did local maiden winner Just Singing (Justify). The half-sister to champion and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) began to tire with a sixteenth of a mile to race, shortening stride noticeably, and despite swapping over to her left lead late, managed to scrape home in the nick of time.

Essential Coffee (Nyquist) stumbled at the break from gate two, tossing jockey Corey Lanerie. Neither horse nor jockey was injured.

Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan Walsh

 

 

Bella Ballerina holds on to win the G2 Golden Rod and earns 10 points towards the Kentucky Oaks! @brenpwalsh trains and @tyler_gaff was aboard.

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ZT8yZ4yASo

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 29, 2025

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