Alpha Bella Del Mar Victory: Wins CTT and TOC Stakes in Front-Running Style

Alpha Bella winning the CTT and TOC Stakes at Del Mar under jockey Hector Berrios
By | 17 Aug 2025 | Mumbai

Alpha Bella Leads Gate-to-Wire to Capture Del Mar’s $102,500 CTT and TOC Stakes

Fans at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club witnessed a brilliant display of front-running authority on Friday afternoon as Alpha Bella, a 5-year-old homebred mare owned by Don Alberto Stable, seized control early and never looked back in the $102,500 CTT and TOC Stakes. Guided confidently by jockey Hector I. Berrios, the mare dictated a steady tempo before quickening away in the stretch to secure a two and three-quarter length victory over her rivals.

The win marked Alpha Bella’s fourth career triumph and added $60,000 to her bankroll, lifting her lifetime earnings to $575,615. With the victory, she reaffirmed her reputation as a tough, consistent competitor who has now recorded four wins and eight runner-up finishes from 20 career starts.

Tactical Ride Defines Alpha Bella’s Del Mar Victory

Breaking sharply from the challenging outside Post 10, Alpha Bella quickly moved to the front under Berrios. Without facing significant early pressure, she was able to control the tempo through fractions of :25.94, :51.51, and 1:17.23 for the opening mile.

Her comfortable cruising speed allowed her to conserve energy for the long stretch run. As the field turned for home, she accelerated decisively, leaving Starry Heavens (R Unicorn Stable) chasing in vain. Mrs. Astor, the race favorite owned by Augustin Stables, closed late but could not bridge the gap, finishing a neck behind Starry Heavens in third.

Berrios, who celebrated his fourth stakes win of the Del Mar meet, highlighted the mare’s responsiveness to his tactics:

“I know she had space in the race. I just waited and waited, and then at the half mile, I asked her, and she responded,” said the winning rider.

Sadler’s Plan Pays Off

The victory also showcased the strategic planning of assistant trainer Juan Leyva, who prepared Alpha Bella under the guidance of her conditioner, John Sadler.

“I told Hector if you get the lead just milk it out there,” Leyva explained. “I thought it would be an oddly run race because there were only a few speed horses, and they were from the same barn. It worked out exactly as we thought.”

The triumph marked Sadler’s third stakes win of the meet and his second victory in the CTT and TOC Stakes, having won previously with Black Mamba in 2009. With this latest success, Sadler now boasts 89 stakes wins at Del Mar, ranking him second all-time among trainers at the seaside oval.

For Berrios, the win was particularly meaningful as it represented his second victory in the CTT and TOC Stakes, his first coming in 2011 aboard Private Affair. He has now accumulated 23 stakes victories at Del Mar, further cementing his standing as one of the most effective riders on the circuit.

Don Alberto Stable’s Proud Moment

Owned and bred by Don Alberto Stable of Chile, Alpha Bella carries the legacy of her sire, Justify, the undefeated 2018 Triple Crown champion. This pedigree has given her the stamina and class to excel in longer-distance turf races, and her performance in the CTT and TOC Stakes only reinforced her suitability for marathon conditions.

For Don Alberto Stable, one of the most influential ownership groups in both North and South American racing, Alpha Bella’s victory added another prestigious stakes title to their expanding portfolio.

Del Mar Summer Meet Momentum

The CTT and TOC Stakes win continues the momentum of Del Mar’s popular summer season, which has already featured several competitive graded and listed stakes contests. With its picturesque seaside setting and tradition of high-class racing, Del Mar continues to attract elite horses, trainers, and jockeys from across the country.

Racing at Del Mar resumes on Saturday with a 10-race card starting at 2 p.m. (PT). Fans can expect another action-packed afternoon of thoroughbred sport, with competitive fields spread across turf and dirt.

Visit the RaceBuzz Horse Racing News section to see what’s trending now.

Full race details and official coverage are available on the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club website.

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