Mucho Unusual's return near, but not in time for Rodeo Drive Stakes

The five-time stakes winner Mucho Unusual is nearing a return to racing after a six-month layoff, but will not be ready for the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 2, a race she won in 2020.

Owned by George Krikorian and trained by Tim Yakteen, Mucho Unusual has shown a steady pattern of workouts in recent weeks, including six furlongs in 1:14.40 at Santa Anita on Saturday.

A race goal will be determined later this month, but Yakteen said in a text message on Sunday that Mucho Unusual “is a ways away” from a race.

Mucho Unusual has won 7 of 21 starts and has earned $882,715. Krikorian said the next few months will determine whether the 5-year-old Mucho Unusual will race in 2022 or be retired for breeding.

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“When she starts racing, she’ll tell us if she’s happy or would prefer to be a mom,” he said. “It’s up in the air right now.”

Mucho Unusual has not raced since a second at 2-5 in the Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on March 27. Last November, Mucho Unusual finished 12th at 65-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland.

Krikorian has a contender for this year’s BC Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6 in War Like Goddess, who was perfect at the Saratoga meeting with wins in the Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on Aug. 7 and the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational at 1 3/8 miles on Sept. 4.

Trained by Bill Mott, War Like Goddess will not race again until the BC Filly and Mare Turf, Krikorian said.