Forever Unbridled coming for Beldame

ELMONT, N.Y. – Forever Unbridled, the Apple Blossom Handicap winner, was scheduled on Monday to ship from Kentucky to Belmont for Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles around one turn.

Trainer Dallas Stewart was considering the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 9 for Forever Unbridled, in part because that race is run around two turns, but he ultimately decided on the Beldame because of the timing.

“If she runs well, she’ll have an extra week to recover for the Breeders’ Cup,” Stewart said Sunday. “She’ll probably need that because it’s going to be the toughest race of the year.”

In her most recent start, Forever Unbridled finished third behind Cavorting and Curalina in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga. Though Cavorting and Curalina are nominated to the Beldame, neither is expected to start.

Those expected for the Beldame include the 3-year-olds Going for Broke, second to Songbird in the Grade 1 Alabama; Off the Tracks, the winner of the Grade 1 Mother Goose; and Paola Queen, the winner of the Grade 1 Test. The 5-year-old Penwith and 4-year-old Tiger Ride also are expected to run.

On Saturday, Forever Unbridled worked five furlongs in 1:00 at Churchill. She was to ship to New York with Tom’s Ready, the winner of the Grade 2 Woody Stephens who is pointing to the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso here on Oct. 8.