After experiencing her first loss in her last start on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, Bella Notte and trainer-driver Joe Putnam were back on track Monday, July 27 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Connersville, Ind. The freshman pacing filly kicked off the 12th session of the ISFC with a win.
Bella Notte began from post three in the six-filly lineup and Putnam took his time with the homebred filly. They got away in third but were gapping by several lengths off the top two with Velmissfoxyshooter and Clint Coy leading the way to the quarter in :30.0 followed closely by Kobe’s BB and Kevin Detweiler.
As the field passed by the grandstand for the first time, Bella Notte had caught up to the leaders and moved to the outside at the half in 1:02.2. At this point, she challenged Velmissfoxyshooter on the outside for the remainder of the race. Velmissfoxyshooter was not going away quietly, but Bella Notte kept her composure and stayed focus through the final turn before finally taking over. Once on the lead, she pulled away for the win by two lengths in 2:01.3, a final quarter in :29.1. Kobe’s BB finished second over Velmissfoxyshooter.
Bella Notte is now six for seven in her young career. The daughter of Capt Midnight is owned by Joey Putnam and Lyndar Stables. Lyndar Stables and Rocco Ruffolo bred the filly, who is out of Putnam’s race mare U’ll Learn, who was one of the first horses Joey Putnam drove when he began his driving career. The younger Putnam, who has driven her to four of her wins, was in Kentucky driving for the day, so Joe Putnam took the driving duties and is now two for two behind the filly. She retook control of the leaderboard headed to the Governor’s Cup Championships with 307 points. Her career best time of 1:59.0 was taken at Frankfort in early July.
One of the closest finishes on the day was recorded in a division of the three-year-old trotting fillies as Strong ABC and Michael Detweiler fended off KC Macy and Kevin Detweiler at the finish line. Strong ABC led the field gate to wire in the win by a nose over KC Macy in 2:07.4. Bluebird Sappy and Mike Peterson finished third.
Strong ABC is trained and leased by William Wagler. Darrell Swartzentruber bred the Strong Opponent three-year-old filly, who earned her second win of 2026. Michael Detweiler was a late driver change on the filly and he is now two for two on the ISFC with her this season.
The ISFC is split into two locations Tuesday, July 28 with a return to the Fayette County Fairgrounds for action along with a second session scheduled for the Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Goshen, Ind. The Fayette County Fairgrounds has eight races slated with the Elkhart County Fairgrounds showcasing 12 on their card. Both programs begin at 11 a.m.
