Unique Bella notches second Grade 1 in Beholder Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Unique Bella challenged Paradise Woods for the lead through the first six furlongs of Saturday’s Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita.

When Unique Bella took the lead entering the stretch, the champion female sprinter of 2017 had no challengers in the $400,000 race for fillies and mares.

Unique Bella ($3) pulled clear from Paradise Woods with a quarter-mile remaining to win the seventh stakes of her career, and second Grade 1, in the Beholder Mile, the top race for female runners at the track’s spring-summer meeting.

The win was Unique Bella’s first race since a second-place finish at 1-5 after a troubled start in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 13. Saturday’s win led trainer Jerry Hollendorfer to suggest Unique Bella could be bound for Saratoga this summer.

Saturday, Unique Bella proved to be superior to four rivals in the Beholder. She was timed in 1:35.60 and got a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. The winning time was the fastest mile clocking on a fast track at Santa Anita since Danzing Candy was timed in 1:34.94 when winning an allowance race in May 2017.

Paradise Woods, a two-time Grade 2 winner in 2017, led around the first turn, but was quickly challenged to her outside by Unique Bella through an opening quarter-mile in 22.51 seconds. On the backstretch, Paradise Woods led by about a half-length over Unique Bella, through a half-mile in 44.96 seconds, and could not shake her rival.

On the turn, jockey Mike Smith guided Unique Bella in front of Paradise Woods to take the lead before the quarter pole.

“It was going to be a chess match between the three of us with Paradise Woods and Vale Dori,” Smith said. “I figured Paradise Woods would be the speed. I have too much respect to let her go.”

Unique Bella was clear in the stretch, leading by four lengths with a furlong remaining, though Smith did not take any chances, flagging his mount a few times left-handed.

“When you go that fast, it sets up for a closer,” Smith said. “I took a peek at the big screen and knew we were okay.

“They would have to come home the final quarter in 20” seconds.

Hollendorfer said a quick pace worked in favor of Unique Bella, who has won three sprint stakes in her career.

“I thought it they went 45 or slower, she he had a good chance,” he said, referring to the half-mile time in seconds. “She went faster and it didn’t matter.

“I’m grateful to have a filly like that.”

La Force, a 24-1 outsider, closed from last to finish second by 2 1/4 lengths, a margin that was somewhat deceptive since Smith did not urge Unique Bella strenuously in the final strides. Paradise Woods was third, beaten 7 3/4 lengths, and was followed by Vale Dori and Munny Spunt.

Owned by Don Alberto Stable, Unique Bella, by Tapit, has won 8 of 11 starts and earned $1,092,400. She won her first Grade 1 in the La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs last December. In her first start this year, Unique Bella won the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at 1 1/16 miles by nine lengths here in February.