The winning turf course running styles were a downhill stalker (Kitten’s Cat), a patient runner down the hill (Fair Point), a closer at ten furlongs (Queen’s Trust), a downhill front runner (Obviously), a twelve furlong front runner (Highland Reel), and a patient runner at one mile (Tourist). If you were not close-up early, you were not getting it done on dirt. Two horses went virtually wire-to-wire on dirt (California Diamond, Drefong). Mario Gutierrez and Doug O’Neill teamed up for two undercard stakes wins ( How About Zero, Frank Conversation – both Reddam Racing ).īreeders’ Cup Saturday Santa Anita Recap: Nov 5įast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. The winning turf course running styles were a downhill wire job (Watch This Cat), a presser at one mile (Oscar Performance), a stalker at one mile (New Money Honey), and a patient runner at nine furlongs (Frank Conversation). Only one horse managed to go virtually wire-to-wire on dirt and that was Scuba in the G2 Marathon (14 furlongs). īreeders’ Cup Friday Santa Anita Recap: November 4įast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Training doubles for Phil D’Amato, Peter Miller, and Doug O’Neill. The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner down the hill, a downhill stalker, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 30 feet). Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (6.5f). He was much the best over California Chrome and it looks as though the torch has been passed in the Handicap Division.įast main track and firm turf course at Santa Anita Park. Mike Smith capped off an outstanding Breeders' Cup with a very smart victory aboard Arrogate in the BC Classic. Just not sure yet which day she’ll be running.Closing week at Santa Anita was also Breeders' Cup week. One thing’s for certain – if she stays sound, we’ll see Unique Bella at Churchill Downs on Derby weekend the first Saturday in May. “I’m told I should go to the Kentucky Derby, when the time comes,” Diaz-Valdes said. It’s my belief that, the way he sounded after the Las Virgenes, Hollendorfer would prefer to follow the same path as Songbird’s 3-year-old campaign, only with the Kentucky Oaks sprinkled in. There’s plenty of time to face the boys down the road. I think if Hollendorfer has his way, it will be the Santa Anita Oaks and then the Kentucky Oaks. “We’ll have to take a look at what’s happening around the country. “I think it’s too early to say,” he said. Still, Fernando Diaz-Valdes, racing manager for Unique Bella owner Don Alberto Stable, didn’t close the door on the Kentucky Derby immediately after the Las Virgenes. A brilliant filly came back as just a very good one. She was not the same filly when she returned for her 4-year-old season. It’s just riskier than facing other fillies in the Oaks.Īnd remember, that rigorous campaign Rachel Alexandra endured took a lot out of her. He didn’t become a Hall of Famer by taking reckless chances, not that running Unique Bella in the Kentucky Derby would be reckless. Folks just love seeing the fillies beat the boys. Just like with Songbird, there are fans who want to see Unique Bella tackle the boys, like when Rachel Alexandra whipped ’em in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward Stakes. She’ll probably get her chance later this year, but first she’ll most likely take aim at her first Grade I in the Santa Anita Oaks on April 8, the same race Songbird won before becoming ill and missing the Kentucky Oaks. That’s not to say Unique Bella can’t ship and win. Unique Bella has won at Del Mar and Santa Anita. She left the comforts of California and shipped to Keeneland, Parx Racing and Saratoga (twice) to register Grade I victories. One of Songbird’s strengths is her ability to ship out of state and win. Let’s just say they’re both excellent fillies, and Unique Bella still has a ways to go to match Songbird’s career to date. Songbird won her first five races by a total of 28 1/2 lengths. She’s won three of four races, and she’s won all of them convincingly, scoring by a combined 26 1/2 lengths. Unique Bella has yet to win her first Grade I, although if she stays healthy it’s only a matter of time. Songbird, who has yet to make her 2017 debut, has won 11 of 12 races, is a two-time Eclipse Award winner and narrowly lost to three-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff in a race for the ages. Her Beyer speed figure of 98 was the fastest by a 3-year-old this year – male or female.ĭoes that mean Unique Bella is better, or is going to be better, than Songbird? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Unique Bella’s final time for the one mile (1:35.66) was more than a second faster than Songbird’s (1:36.84). It’s the same stakes race stablemate Songbird won last year by 6 1/2 lengths.
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