Unique Bella back to two turns in Santa Maria

ARCADIA, Calif. – Unique Bella was always fast – she won a maiden race by 10 lengths at age 2, and at age 3, she won three graded sprints and was named the 2017 champion female sprinter.

Now comes 2018, when Unique Bella returns to two turns while adding the element of control to her natural speed. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has seen her change.

“She’s much easier with herself this year,” Hollendorfer said. “She’s been galloping a lot more confidently. She’s more willing to settle and gallop easier than she did last year.”

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Unique Bella has thrived in the six weeks since winning the seven-furlong La Brea Stakes, and Saturday at Santa Anita she will launch her 4-year-old campaign in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Santa Maria Stakes.

“We’re hoping she’s going to have a good year running long,” Hollendorfer said. “That’s probably where most of the money is.”

Despite Unique Bella’s speed, Hollendorfer does not believe that the filly requires the lead.

“She might be willing to rate this year, rather than go to the front. Or, if there’s no speed in the race, she could be on the front end.”

Except for Unique Bella, there is no speed in the Santa Maria, carded as race 4. Four other fillies and mares are entered – Majestic Heat, coming off a puzzling misfire in the Grade 2 La Canada; Mopotism, who won the La Canada; and outsiders Shenandoah Queen and Kathy’s Song.

Unique Bella, who has won 6 of 8 overall, is undefeated in a pair of starts around two turns.

“A lot of good horses can run short and long, and she’s one of them,” Hollendorfer said.

Beyond temperament, Unique Bella has changed physically. Hollendorfer said she is “broader, and more filled out.” Saturday in the Santa Maria, she should be gone.

Majestic Heat is the field’s biggest riddle. She finished fifth as the favorite last out. She mailed it in. Any excuses?

“No big ones,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “Her feet were a little sore out of the race, not a big deal. They seem to be better now.”

Majestic Heat previously won the Grade 2 Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos, an effort that probably would be good enough to finish second Saturday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Unique Bella, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 98-81-96

◗ Unique Bella, a front-runner, will race over a surface kind to front-runners – 12 of 15 races this meet (through Thursday) at 1 1/16 miles were won by a horse positioned first or second.

◗ Mike Smith rides Unique Bella; whose tentative spring campaign includes the Santa Margarita on March 17 at Santa Anita and the Apple Blossom on April 13 at Oaklawn.

Majestic Heat, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 86-94-91

◗ Prior to the La Canada misfire, the 6-year-old won twice on dirt – a statebred sprint stakes in summer at Del Mar and the Bayakoa at Los Alamitos.

◗ Flavien Prat regains the mount from Smith. Prat has ridden Majestic Heat six times, winning four.

Mopotism, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 91-94-90

◗ Doug O’Neill trains Mopotism, a 4-year-old who is the leading money-earning female sired by Uncle Mo. Mario Gutierrez is her rider.