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Lilac fire survivor Bellocq returns to Del Mar

San Luis Rey Training Center trainer Martine Bellocq had two horses in the Nov. 23 Del Mar Thoroughbred Club races, which constituted her first time in the Del Mar paddock since being severely burned in the December 2017 Lilac fire.

Bellocq was the trainer for Grey Tsunami in the first race and Brite Rivers in the third race.

"It's nice," Bellocq said of her return.

Bellocq was burned trying to save the 2-year-old colt Wild Bill Hickory, who was owned by Bellocq in partnership with Margaret Sherr. Wild Bill Hickory died in the fire as did Royal Kuna, a 2-year-old gelding trained by Bellocq and owned by Margaret Baricevic.

Bellocq had second-degree and third-degree burns over more than half of her body (second-degree burns involve the dermis layer of skin as well as the epidermis outer layer of skin which is the only layer impacted by first-degree burns; third-degree burns destroy both the epidermis and the dermis and may also damage the underlying tissue) and she was placed in a medically-induced coma.

Bellocq's recovery from the coma revealed an early childhood trait. She was left-handed as a small child and then made right-handed.

"I woke up from the coma and I was left-handed again," Bellocq said.

Bellocq's injuries forced the amputation of her left leg, and she was not released from the hospital until July. She will require additional surgeries.

Bellocq's first public appearance since the fire was at Del Mar during the Aug. 18 races, when she was presented with this year's Laffit Pincay Jr. Award which is given to a person who has served the horse racing industry with integrity, dedication, determination and distinction.

The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters presented Bellocq with the Bill Mooney Award Oct. 31 for courage while facing adversity. "I'm very touched by them to pick me," Bellocq said. "It's a great honor."

Bellocq also expressed appreciation to the those who responded to the Lilac fire. "I want to honor them and say thank you for everything they did for the horses," she said.

The other trainers, owners, and jockeys also provided support during Bellocq's recovery. "All the horsemen showed me the way to be strong," she said.

Three-year-old Grey Tsunami is owned by Richard Cornwell.

"I hope she does well," Cornwell said. "This is the last one she saved, so we're hoping we can show some gratitude."

The first race Nov. 23 was the third for Grey Tsunami, who first raced Oct. 5 at Santa Anita Park. Keiber Coa was Grey Tsunami's jockey Nov. 23. "She didn't really give me much instruction," Coa said of his pre-race conversation with Bellocq.

Grey Tsunami, a 60-1 long shot, finished last among the six horses in the 6 1/2-furlong maiden claiming race for fillies and mares, 5 1/2 lengths in back of fifth-place Whata Flirt and 19 1/4 lengths behind winner London Hotel.

"She's better than that," Cornwell said.

"The horse just got outrun," Coa said.

London Hotel's winning time was 1:18.82.

"The horse was in a tough race," Bellocq said.

"I'm still proud of our horse," Cornwell said. "There's always a next time."

Brite Rivers, a 3-year-old filly bred and owned by Bellocq and Sherr (who currently lives in Pala), was ridden by Ruben Fuentes. The third race Nov. 23 was a 5 1/2-furlong maiden claiming race for California-bred fillies and mares.

The race was the first for Brite Rivers since she finished fourth among the eight horses in a March 3 race at Santa Anita Park. Brite Rivers, a 53-1 long shot, finished fifth among the six horses in the race.

Despite the placings by her horses, Bellocq was pleased with the welcome she received at the racetrack. "It was a nice surprise," she said.

Author Bio

Joe Naiman, Writer

Joe Naiman has been writing for the Village News since 2001

 

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