Santa Anita: Unbridled's Note reaffirms fondness for course in Daytona

ARCADIA, Calif. - The hillside turf course at Santa Anita is providing the highlights of Unbridled’s Note’s career.

Saturday, Unbridled’s Note won his third stakes on the hillside turf course in the $100,500 Daytona Stakes, closing from fifth in a field of seven to win by a half-length over El Commodore.

Unbridled’s Note won the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes in September 2012, and the Joe Hernandez Stakes last February, both on the hillside turf course. In addition, Unbridled’s Note was second in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and fourth in the same race last month over the hillside course.

“He really likes this downhill course,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “’I’m glad to have him out here for the winter. Hopefully we can have a series of races with him.”

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Unbridled’s Note ($5) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.89. Nakatani had Unbridled’s Note 4 1/2 lengths behind pacesetter Truest Legend crossing onto the main turf course. Unbridled’s Note closed well through the final furlong to outfinish 5-1 El Commodore. Gallant Son, who stumbled at the start, closed from sixth to finish third, 4 1/4 lengths behind El Commodore.

Chips All In finished fourth, followed by Handsome Mike, Ain’t No Other, and Truest Legend. In the stretch, Truest Legend was pulled up by jockey Brice Blanc, but the 7-year-old horse crossed under the wire. Truest Legend was vanned off.

Trainer Jeff Mullins said that Blanc thought Truest Legend “took a funny step and he took care of him.”

Unbridled’s Note, a 4-year-old colt by Unbridled’s Note, has won 5 of 16 starts and earned $636,683 for owner Mike McCarty of Austin, Texas.

After the fourth in the BC Turf Sprint, Unbridled’s Note was second in the Hollywood Turf Express, finishing a half-length behind Boat Trip. There was a three-way dead-heat for second in the Turf Express between Unbridled’s Note, No Silent, and Chips All In.

Nakatani rode Unbridled’s Note in the Turf Express. Unbridled’s Note fought for the lead throughout the Turf Express and led into the stretch before being passed by Boat Trip. Saturday, Nakatani was back aboard Unbridled’s Note for the 10th consecutive race.

“This time we got the trip we needed to get,” Nakatani said.