Stonetastic, Unbridled Forever make 2015 debuts in Shine Again

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A couple of fillies who competed in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup, Stonetastic and Unbridled Forever, have chosen the same spot to finally get their 2015 campaigns under way: Wednesday’s $100,000 Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga.

Stonetastic and Unbridled Forever top a field of 11 fillies and mares for the seven-furlong Shine Again, which could serve as a prep for the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 29. Admission will be free Wednesday to honor the 100-year anniversary of Saratoga becoming incorporated as a city.

Stonetastic finished fourth after setting the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, while Unbridled Forever ran fifth behind Untapable the previous afternoon in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Both fillies have already proven their affinity for Saratoga. Last summer, Stonetastic won the Grade 2 Prioress here, and Unbridled Forever was second behind Stopchargingmaria in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks.

Trainer Kelly Breen said it took a little more time to get Stonetastic back to the races than originally planned.

“She wintered in Kentucky, and it was a little rough there, but we wanted to take our time and make sure she was fit and ready when Saratoga rolled around since she ran so well there last summer,” said Breen. “Our main goal is to get her back to the Breeders’ Cup again, but for now, I’m just really excited to have her back running again.”

Unbridled Forever had a few issues that delayed her return, including a bout with colic last winter. But trainer Dallas Stewart said she’s feeling great, training well, and he’s looking forward to getting her started Wednesday.

“Hopefully, she’ll continue to progress, and we can get her back to the Breeders’ Cup again this year,” said Stewart.

Stonetastic and Unbridled Forever will have to be on top of their games to win in their first start back against a field that includes Grade 3 winner Sugar Shock, multiple stakes winner Flattering Bea, the Grade 2-placed You Bought Her, and the multiple Grade 3-placed Expression.

Key Contenders

Stonetastic (Last 3 Beyers: 51-85-89)

◗ Runs well fresh, having won her debut by a dozen lengths at 2 and an entry level allowance race off a 6 1/2-month layoff at 3. She has posted three bullet works over the last four weeks at Monmouth Park.

“She’s ready to run big off the shelf,” said Breen.

Unbridled Forever (Last 3 Beyers: 93-86-73)

◗ She won her only previous start at seven furlongs, although Stewart said she’ll stretch back out around two turns after the Shine Again.

“They don’t run mile races at Saratoga, so our choices were to bring her back at either six furlongs, seven furlongs, or a mile and one-eighth, and this looked like a good place to get her started,” said Stewart.

You Bought Her (Last 3 Beyers: 90-68-79)

◗ Got back on track from a Beyer Speed Figure standpoint last time with her second-place finish in the Saylorville Stakes at Prairie Meadows and now stretches out to her most effective distance, having won four of eight previous starts at seven furlongs.