Bumble of Love earned its third-straight win over Indiana Grand’s turf course Wednesday to score the title in the 18th running of the $100,000 Peony Stakes.
Bumble of Love (photo) and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. left alertly and found good positioning behind The Beauty’s Tale and Jose Bautista and Diamond Solitaire and Martin Garcia. They maintained their position all the way to the stretch before kicking into a strong final quarter, winning by one and one-quarter lengths over Timeless Rose and Santo Sanjur, who closed from the back for second.
Bloody Mary Mornin and Rodney Prescott finished third.
Bumble of Love is now four for six in 2021. She increased her career bankroll to more than $165,000 for owner Andrew Ritter, who was also a co-breeder on the filly with Ledgelands LLC. Brian Michael trained the four-year-old Indiana bred daughter of Hampton Court.
“A light bulb came on for her in the last couple of starts,” said Michael. “Last time she broke well and was near the pace. She did the same today, so I think she’s starting to figure it out. We call her the Indiana Zenyata. She looks a lot like Zenyata. And, she’s a warrior. She has great guts and tries hard every time.”
Bumble of Love has been with the Michael barn since the beginning of her career. The start in the Peony Stakes was her first attempt in stakes action. With the exception of her first start at Churchill Downs in the fall of her two-year-old season, all of her career starts have been recorded at Indiana Grand, with her last three outings all over the turf course.
“We love the turf here and there are a couple more spots left for her,” said Michael. “So, we would like to keep her here. That’s the plan.”
