Unique Bella back to the winner's circle with Beholder Mile victory
Three-quarters of a length better than Paradise Woods last time they met, Unique Bella widened the margin Saturday. Perhaps connections also found the champion sprinter's best distance in winning the Grade 1, $400,000 Beholder Mile.
The flashy 4-year-old by Tapit put away her rival in the turn, surviving a swift pace no worse for the wear, and won the feature under jockey Mike Smith in her return to Santa Anita Park.
The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee pressured Paradise Woods through an opening half mile in 44.96 seconds, and was able to cut across to the rail entering the stretch. It was over from there, though 24-1 longshot La Force closed well for second.
"This was a short field, but these are very talented mares," Smith said. "When you have a mare like Paradise Woods in there, who I have the utmost respect for, it sets it up for a closer as well which you saw there. The half mile was in 44 (seconds), which is awful fast.
"I can't let Paradise Woods go, because she's just too good. I had to do what I had to do. Didn't finish out quite how we like, but after running that fast, that was pretty incredible for the mare to draw off and win like that."
Unique Bella entered the Beholder Mile with one other start at eight furlongs. That race she won as well, taking last year’s Las Virgenes (G2) by 8 3/4 lengths over Mopotism.
Mopotism has since won a graded stakes and was entered in the Beholder Mile but scratched to leave a field of five. Vale Dori was fourth with Munny Spunt rounding out the order.
Unique Bella did need a bit of vindication. Last out, she shipped to run in Oaklawn Park's Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) but stumbled leaving the gate. After chasing the pace, she managed only a runner-up finish.
The Don Alberto Stable filly has only been defeated now once in eight races at Santa Anita, where she was second in her career debut.
“They wish there were more Grade 1s here at Santa Anita because she loves it here and going two turns here was worth it," said Febrizio Buffolo, executive director for Don Alberto. “We’re so pleased with Jerry and his team for doing an exceptional job with this mare.”