Unique Bella might hit road for Apple Blossom

ARCADIA, Calif. – Unique Bella could soon make the first road trip of her career, having recovered from the cough that interrupted her training and cost her a start in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and assistant Dan Ward are considering the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 13 at Oaklawn Park for Unique Bella, whose nine starts and seven wins have been in California. “That would be a good test, shipping for the first time,” Ward said.

The first priority for Unique Bella is a resumption of workouts. “As soon as the track is [fast], she’ll have a workout,” Ward said, adding that she recovered quickly from her cough. “She missed four days, she walked, and then went right back to the track.”

Unique Bella has won six graded stakes, including a 109 Beyer Speed Figure romp in the Grade 2 Santa Maria at Santa Anita last out.