Unique Bella, the darling of the California racetracks, is packing her bags and taking her show on the road for the Grade I, $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/16 mile event will be Unique Bella's first start ever away from California, but there is no reason to think that the big, gray beast won't fire another tremendous performance. With seven wins in nine starts, Unique Bella is undoubtedly the class of the race.
Unique Bella has an undeniable passion for running. Her speed-obsessed mind and competitive drive command her to be at her best each and every time she steps foot on the track. Her blatant speed and excellency can be seen shining as brightly in the mornings as it can in the races in the afternoon. Remarkably, Unique Bella's last six workouts in a row have come as bullets, meaning that she has performed faster than every other horse working at the same distance on the same track that day. Her latest tune up before the Apple Blossom, which came in the form of a four furlong dash, was completed in a sharp final time of :46.80, the fastest of sixty-three. Her gallop was completed with such uncanny ease that Unique Bella was given the "breezing" tag by Santa Anita clockers.
Unique Bella will have to face off with some talented fillies and mares in the Apple Blossom Handicap. One of the top rivals expected to go head to head with her is Martini Glass, winner of the Royal Delta Stakes (Gr.2) and the Azeri Stakes (Gr.2). This classy filly is currently on a two-race winning streak, and will fight to keep it going on race day. Other top contenders include Houston Ladies Classic winner, Tiger Moth, and multiple graded stakes winner, Farrell, who was a game third in her most recent start behind Martini Glass in the Azeri Stakes. Unlike Unique Bella, these mares have experience over the strip of Oaklawn Park, which will give them somewhat of an advantage. However, when you look back and see how Unique Bella's last race basically ended as a walkover, it almost makes you pity the horses that are forced to take her on. Unique Bella has proven countless times that she has a burning passion for glory, and she will stop at nothing to achieve it.
True to her name, this massive, silver filly is truly a unique specimen. Her breeding implies royalty, just as her ruthless running style suggests greatness. Unique Bella is by leading sire Tapit, and is out of Breeders' Cup Distaff champion, Unrivaled Belle. Her imposing bloodlines and daunting size, along with her intrepid nature and blazing speed have turned out to be a lethal combination for her rivals. When this filly runs, she takes no prisoners. Very few horses have managed to walk away with victory after coming face to face with Unique Bella. The filly is in a class of her own. When she takes flight, it is something to behold. There aren't many horses that appear to have it all, but when it comes to speed, class, courage, looks, and pedigree, Unique Bella may just be the total package.
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