Forever Unbridled building stamina for Dubai World Cup

Forever Unbridled had another major workout Friday in preparation for the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 31.

Forever Unbridled, the champion older dirt female of 2017 and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in her most recent start, was officially clocked in 1:26.80 for seven furlongs. Trainer Dallas Stewart said the mare galloped out one mile in 1:39. A week prior, Forever Unbridled worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 and galloped out one mile.

“She went really good, galloped out even stronger than last week,” Stewart said. “Now we just need to maintain it and put a nice edge on her.”

Emerson Chavez worked Forever Unbridled on Friday, but Stewart said another rider, Pedro Velez, was likely to travel with the mare to Dubai in about three weeks.

◗ Copper Bullet, the talented 3-year-old colt who won the Aug. 13 Saratoga Special by four lengths in his most recent start, hasn’t posted a timed workout since Feb. 12, and trainer Steve Asmussen has decided to take a patient approach with the horse.

“I just backed off him. It was too much too soon,” Asmussen said. “The [Kentucky] Derby is out of the question.”