Unique Bella nears return to training

ARCADIA, Calif. – Unique Bella, a three-time stakes winner who has been rested since late March because of a minor shin injury, is nearing a return to light exercise.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Thursday that Unique Bella will soon begin tack-walking. The filly has been based at Hollendorfer’s Santa Anita stable since she was taken out of training after plans to send her to a training center for a rest were scrapped.

“She was doing so good here, we decided to keep her here,” he said.

Owned by Don Alberto Stable, Unique Bella has won 4 of 5 starts and earned $342,500. Unique Bella won three consecutive stakes from January to early March, including the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes on March 4. She was considered the favorite for the Kentucky Oaks when she was taken out of training two weeks before the April 8 Santa Anita Oaks.

Hollendorfer is hoping to campaign Unique Bella in the second half of 2017.

“It won’t take too long for her to get ready,” he said.