In the fall of 2010, a big, gray mare came storming down the track of Churchill Downs to take the lead in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (known as the Ladies Classic at the time). The crowd roared wildly as she took command, leaving behind a stellar group of fillies and mares which included Blind Luck, Havre de Grace, and Life at Ten. As talented as the fillies were, none of them could put an end to the unstoppable force that was Unrivaled Belle. And just like that, on racing's biggest stage, the iron mare won the biggest race of her life.
Unrivaled Belle's scintillating Breeders' Cup score was the last win of her career. She retired after turning in two solid performances in 2011. After six firsts and six seconds in fourteen career starts, it had been a very lucrative career. Unrivaled Belle had made a name for herself on the track, and was now ready to start a new career as a broodmare. Once again, Unrivaled Belle would find success.
On March 2, 2014, Unrivaled Belle delivered a silver filly by leading sire, Tapit. As her pedigree suggested, the filly was destined to do big things. She had the blood of champions running through her body, and with it came high hopes and big dreams.
In 2016, when the filly, who was named Unique Bella, turned two, it was time for her to hit the track and prove just how great she could be. The young and inexperienced filly ran second in her debut, but in her next start she put it all together. She knocked off five wins in a row, including dominating scores in the Santa Ynez Stakes (Gr.2), Las Virgenes Stakes (Gr.2), Santa Ysabel Stakes (Gr.3), and L.A. Woman Stakes (Gr.3). The stage was set for Unique Bella to carry her glory through the Breeders' Cup, and collect her first Grade 1 win. However, it was not meant to be.
Unique Bella blasted from the gate in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and got straight to work setting the pace. She blazed through rapid fractions, setting a pace so frantic that it ultimately ended up being her undoing. In a shocking and uncharacteristic sight, the once invincible filly began to fade. Exhausted and spent, Unique Bella dropped back to seventh place. It was the last time she ever finished off the board.
Unique Bella snapped right back to her old ways in her next start, proving that her mishap in the Breeders' Cup was not to be taken seriously. Unique Bella entered the La Brea Stakes, where she took on the highly regarded, Paradise Woods. There, Unique Bella looked her accomplished rival dead in the eye and dared her to match strides. Paradise Woods gave it everything she had, but could not get to her rival. Unique Bella valiantly prevailed and finally collected her first Grade 1.
Unique Bella kicked off 2018 with an effortless score in the Santa Maria Stakes (Gr.2). She then traveled to Oaklawn Park for the Apple Blossom Handicap (Gr.1). It was an event loaded with obstacles for the vivacious animal. It was her first time shipping out of California, and to make things trickier, rain poured from the sky, turning the track into an oval of slop. The conditions were not ideal for a filly that was not used to the mud, but the show had to go on.
Unique Bella loaded into the gate, and right when the doors opened, she was struck with yet another challenge. Unique Bella tripped coming out of the gate and instantly got left behind. Mud flew into her as the rest of the field took off, giving her no choice but to try and come from off the pace, when she was normally the one setting it. As the race raged on, Unique Bella used her raw speed to her advantage and gradually climbed closer to the front. She tracked the leader before taking over, poised and willing to win. But then, in the final stages of the race, Unbridled Mo came storming up to ruin the party. It was an inauspicious end to a day that was full of tests for Unique Bella, but like the champion she is, she shook it off and got right back to her winning ways.
Unique Bella returned to California and took down the Beholder Mile (Gr.1) with breathtaking ease. And she didn't stop there. In her most recent start, which took place on July 29, Unique Bella made headlines once again. The imposing beast loaded into the starting gate for the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, seeking to claim her third Grade 1 victory. Bad luck struck at the start of the race, when Unique Bella blew a shoe, but it wasn't enough to stop her. Unique Bella never faltered as she led the field every step of the way, despite the fact that her shoe was hanging uncomfortably from of her foot for a good portion of the race.
Unique Bella cruised into the stretch of the Clement L. Hirsch with a clear lead. Jockey, Mike Smith, never moved a muscle as his intrepid filly bounded down the stretch. He never flinched when La Force came flying from behind, threatening to steal the lead. It appeared as if he was just as confident as his mare, and the determined duo boldly finished out the race in a hand-ride, holding off the daring challenge of La Force by half a length.
The Clement L Hirsch Stakes is part of the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" Challenge series, meaning that Unique Bella now has an automatic berth in this year's Breeders' Cup Distaff. The Breeders' Cup will be hosted at Churchill Downs this fall, the very track where Unique Bella's dam won the most important race of her life. With an impressive record of 9 wins in 12 starts, there is a very real chance that we will see Unique Bella duplicate her mother's feat beneath the fabled Twin Spires, and soar to victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. It will be no easy task, as Unique Bella will likely have to face the likes of Monomoy Girl, Wonder Gadot, Abel Tasman, Elate, and Unbridled Mo. But the undeniable challenge that lies ahead is what makes this sport so exciting.
The fillies and mares that are aiming for the Distaff are the most formidable of rivals, ensuring that the glory bestowed to the winner will truly be earned. It is a long way off, and a lot can happen between now and November, but one thing that is certain is that the Breeders' Cup Distaff will contain the fiercest field that any of these fillies and mares have faced. It is already shaping up to be a showdown for the ages, as several fillies have stepped forward to achieve outstanding levels of power this year. For Unique Bella, she will not only be seeking Breeders' Cup redemption, but to also follow in her mother's path and claim the Distaff in similar fashion. She will set out to prove to the world that she can hold her own against the best, and that she can indeed find her way to the winner's circle outside of California.
With 9 current victories to her name and three Grade 1 scores, there isn't much not to like about Unique Bella moving forward. Just like every other filly, she will have something to prove in the Breeders' Cup, but will likely rise to the challenge with the same unwavering valor and determination that she has carried throughout her entire career. A competitive spirit burns brightly within this magnificent beast, faithfully fueling her with the courage and the desire to win. A battle of epic proportions will be awaiting Unique Bella in the fall, and win or lose, I am sure she will be right there in the thick of it, giving it her all.
For a deeper look at Unique Bella, visit the link below of a previous Unique Bella article from earlier in the year:
https://chelsealowman66.wixsite.com/mysite/blog-1/could-this-be-the-year-of-unique-bella
Thank you to Gary Tasich for the beautiful pictures!
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