Beautifully Bred Nonna's Love Graduates At the Big A

1st-Belmont The Big A, $85,000, Msw, 6-12, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:08.34, fm, 3 lengths.
NONNA'S LOVE (f, 2, Caravaggio–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) was the lone previously raced member of the seven-strong field that loaded the stalls for the first race back down at the Belmont at the Big A meeting Thursday afternoon and made the most of her experience advantage, leading past every pole to get the program off on a high note for the favorite backers. Drawn two, the 5-4 chalk–making her first start on the grass after finishing third on the Keeneland dirt Apr. 23–was quickly away but soon had company to her outside in the form of Flaxman Stables' well-meant Chrysalism (Liam's Map x Pachattack) and the duo matched motors through an opening quarter in :21.80. More or less inseparable for the run around the turn, Nonna's Love began to get the better of the battle in upper stretch, was clear into the final furlong and easily held sway to take it by three lengths. Maiora (Speightstown) was difficult to load, rearing twice pre-start and nearly unseating Joel Rosario before ultimately acquiescing. Slowly away once the gates flew, she raced in the second half of the field, was steered out for the drive and finished with interest for second. Nonna's Love is the half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' and Eclipse Award winner Fierceness (City of Light), MGISW, $4,515,320; and to Mentee (City of Light), GSW, $148,000, who took the GIII Futurity Stakes over this course and distance last fall. The winner's dam is a daughter of GI Frizette Stakes third Nonna Mia (Empire Maker), whose four winners from five to race include GI Wood Memorial Stakes hero Outwork (Uncle Mo) and MSP Nonna's Boy (Distorted Humor). The SW & GSP third dam Holy Bubbette(Holy Bull) produced MGSW sire Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile) as well as the dam of recent Mike Lee Stakes winner Train the Trainer (Dialed In). Nonna Bella is also responsible for a yearling by the late Uncle Mo and a Curlin filly foaled this past Apr. 1. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $55,188. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Repole Stable Inc (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.

NONNA'S LOVE, a @RepoleStable homebred and half-sister to Fierceness and Mentee, takes the opener at BAQ, breaking her maiden going 6F on the turf in 1:08.34 for trainer @PletcherRacing with @ljlmvel aboard!

Nonna's Love is a 2yo filly by Caravaggio out of Nonna Bella. pic.twitter.com/sdPrmC4K4n

— Equibase (@Equibase) June 12, 2025