Unbridled Forever might finally get that Grade 1

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – All systems remain on go for Unbridled Forever’s bid to get that elusive Grade 1 victory after she breezed five furlongs over the main track on Thursday. The work was her first since registering an impressive neck victory while returning from a nine-month layoff in the seven-furlong Shine Again Stakes here earlier this month.

Unbridled Forever, who was Grade 1-placed three times as a 3-year-old in 2014, is pointing for the seven-furlong Ballerina on Travers Day, Aug. 29. Trainer Dallas Stewart has opted to keep the daughter of Unbridled’s Song sprinting for the time being, although he hasn’t ruled out stretching her back around two turns later this season.

“She worked great,” Stewart said shortly after Unbridled Forever had cooled out following her work. “She just did it easy, the last half in 48. She’s ready to go in the Ballerina. We’ll just go one race at a time. We could stretch her out in the next one, the Beldame, or maybe the Spinster. We have a lot of options. There’s also a seven-eighths race in the Breeders’ Cup, so we’ll just see. Let’s win this one first.”

A field of six to eight fillies and mares is expected for the Ballerina, including Dame Dorothy, La Verdad, Room for Me, Sarah Sis, and Street Story. Kiss to Remember and Leigh Court are listed as possible by the racing office.