Don Alberto's multiple graded stakes winner Unique Bella (Tapit) tuned up for an expected start in the Mar. 4 GIII Santa Ysabel S. with a five-furlong work in 1:00.20 (8/97) at Santa Anita Thursday.
“She went very easy,” said Dan Ward, assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.”It was an easy work, like always. She was nice and smooth and very relaxed. [Exercise rider] Edgar [Rodriguez] has got her going off slow and coming home fast. I see her getting more and more relaxed as time goes by. We had her getting her last eighth in :11 4/5.”
Looking like a superstar in the making, Unique Bella was tabbed a TDN Rising Star after a devastating 10 1/4-length maiden victory at Del Mar last November. She had no trouble making the transition to the graded ranks, gliding home 7 1/2 lengths in front in the Jan. 8 GII Santa Ynez S. and 8 3/4 lengths the best in the Feb. 5 GII Las Virgenes.
After the Santa Ysabel, Unique Bella's next outings are expected to be the Apr. 8 GI Santa Anita Oaks and the May 5 GI Kentucky Oaks.
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