FORTUNA Belle — a five-year-old, American-bred, dark bay/brown mare from Robert Pearson’s stables — makes her highly anticipated debut in this afternoon’s $1.25-million Kaz HoShay Trophy feature at Caymanas Park.

Bred by Uncaptured – Double Seven, Fortuna Belle was originally entered for the Mouttet Mile but was pulled and won’t be competing in the December 6 showpiece.

However, she has been training fairly well for her first run on local soil and is expected to get off the mark right away. Her last spin coming into the race was on November 23 when she galloped five and a half furlongs (1,100m) in 1:08.3. Five furlongs (1,000m) were done in 1:01.2.

This three-year-old-and-upwards Overnight Allowance contest will cover five and a half furlongs. It is positioned as the ninth event on the 10-race card with a post time of 4:20 pm. First race is scheduled for 11:30 am.

California Crown, Atlantic Convoy, and Bulletproofcoffe might just give Fortuna Belle a run for her money.

California Crown has been struggling in recent times, however those runs by California Crown were in the classes above. He steps down here to compete and is expected give the favourite much to do.

Atlantic Convoy finished a good third behind Prince Amaan and Champion Bubbler over the five-straight course on November 22. This Canadian-bred runner also goes well here and is expected to be one of the top contenders.

Bulletproofcoffee was beaten by Mighty Gully in a fast time (58.3 second) over the five-furlong straight course on November 22. While she runs her best races out of the straight, Bulletproofcoffee should use her speed to navigate the bend well and put up a good fight in deep stretch.

— Ruddy Allen