Forever Unbridled eyes Ogden Phipps Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Forever Unbridled, who won the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on Friday, emerged from the race in "excellent" condition, trainer Dallas Stewart said Saturday.

"She has that bright look in her eye," he said.

Stewart said Forever Unbridled will ship Sunday to Churchill Downs. He said the track's upcoming race for her division, the Grade 1, $300,000 La Troienne on May 6, comes up too quickly for Forever Unbridled. In the Apple Blossom, she was making her first start since winning the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 30.

Stewart said Forever Unbridled’s next race likely will be the Grade 1, $1 million Ogden Phipps for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on June 11 at Belmont Park. The season objective for Forever Unbridled is the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Stewart said owner Charles Fipke gave Forever Unbridled all the time she needed after the 2015 Kentucky Oaks, and she has come back on top of her game. The Apple Blossom was her first Grade 1 win and her third straight graded stakes victory in a streak that began in the Comely at Aqueduct.

Stewart said he’s impressed that Forever Unbridled has built her streak over three different tracks. He said she is a high-quality filly and a fighter, and the connections were savoring the Apple Blossom win Saturday.

Forever Unbridled defeated a field that included the champion Untapable, who finished fourth after setting a pressured pace. She was just edged for third and is now headed to Churchill Downs, said trainer Steve Asmussen. Untapable was making her second start since October on Friday.

Asmussen said Untapable, who was bright and alert Saturday, emerged from the Apple Blossom “happy and healthy.”

“We'll go to Churchill Downs with her Monday or Tuesday, let her settle in there,” he said.

Asmussen said he will speak with the Winchell Thoroughbreds team and determine plans for Untapable.

Counterforce, who on Friday won the $150,000 Bachelor at Oaklawn for Winchell Thoroughbreds, also will ship this week to Churchill, with plans to be determined, said Asmussen.