Unique Bella fine after losing shoe in Clement Hirsch

DEL MAR, Calif. – Even though her right front shoe came loose and then fell off soon after the start of the Clement Hirsch Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar, Unique Bella emerged unscathed from the race, according to Dan Ward, the local assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

“Didn’t damage the foot at all,” Ward said Monday morning as he looked after things here while Hollendorfer tended to his Golden Gate Fields string. “We were really lucky.”

Unique Bella still gutted out a victory in the Clement Hirsch, which earned her a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Ward said the Distaff was the year-end goal, but still under consideration was whether to have one or two races between now and the Distaff at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.

Unique Bella is possible for the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 25. She could run there and then in the Grade 1 Zenyatta at Santa Anita on Sept. 29, or simply await the Zenyatta.

The Hirsch marked the ninth win in 12 lifetime starts for Unique Bella, last year’s champion female sprinter. She earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure in the Hirsch. She has won three Grade 1 races.