Unique Bella, Paradise Woods finally square off in La Brea Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – A rivalry delayed. That’s what the matchup between Paradise Woods and Unique Bella represents Tuesday, when two of the most-talented 3-year-old fillies in the nation – who might have met in the Santa Anita Oaks more than eight months ago – finally face one another in the Grade 1, $300,000 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita.

Unique Bella was all the rage early-on at this meet a year ago, when she scored runaway victories in three straight graded stakes. But she had to be taken out of a training with shin issues prior to the Santa Anita Oaks and in stepped Paradise Woods, whose 11 3/4-length romp sent her to the Kentucky Oaks as the favorite.

But both have had their ups and downs since.

Unique Bella was out of training the rest of the spring and much of the summer. She returned in October and won the Grade 3 L.A. Woman at Santa Anita, but faded to seventh of 14 when favored in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint after setting blistering early fractions in a race where the flow favored late runners.

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Paradise Woods tired in the Kentucky Oaks to finish 11th, and her first start back more than three months later was a throw-out, as she acted up in the gate, stumbled at the start, and was all out of sorts in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines at Del Mar. She rebounded from that to run her elders off their feet in the Grade 1 Zenyatta, then was third most recently in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff behind the high-class Forever Unbridled and Abel Tasman.

They now return to Santa Anita, where both have stellar records. Unique Bella has won 4 of 5 here, while Paradise Woods is 3 for 4, and their lone losses were second-place finishes. Although the calendar will say Dec. 26 for these fillies, and for Southern California racing in general, this is the start of the new racing year.

As usual, Santa Anita has put on a terrific card for opening day, which begins at noon Pacific and includes the traditional wall-calendar giveaway. There are three other stakes on the nine-race card, including the Grade 1 Malibu (race 8) and a compelling edition of the San Antonio (race 3), featuring Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Collected and the popular Hoppertunity. Bowies Hero and Big Score meet for the fourth straight time in the Mathis Brothers Mile (race 6).

The seven-furlong La Brea goes as race 7.

Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains Unique Bella, admitted the “timing wasn’t perfect” when Unique Bella had to miss the Santa Anita Oaks and Kentucky Oaks, but he’s happy she’s come back well.

“As long as you try to keep them sound and can get them ready, there’s always going to be another race,” he said. “That’s all you can do.”

Unique Bella landed post 3 in the field of eight.

Paradise Woods drew advantageously, landing post 7, and is intriguing as a turn-back play. She should get an ideal stalking trip.

“She’s doing great,” said Richard Mandella, who trains Paradise Woods. “She’s come a long ways from breaking her maiden at the Santa Anita winter meeting.”

Indeed, Paradise Woods did not even debut until 11 months ago, and did not win her first race until a little more than eight months ago.

Neither Hollendorfer nor Mandella wanted to look past the La Brea – “This is a big enough race in itself,” Mandella said. “This is the goal right now.” – but both fillies are to stay in training for 2018, and if both stay healthy, this could be the first of multiple meetings.

Of the six others in the race, Miss Sunset is the most accomplished. She has won 7 of 11 starts, most recently the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland. Curiously, though, she has been far more effective at Del Mar – where she is unbeaten in four starts – than Santa Anita, where she is 0 for 3 on dirt.

“She’s a real competitor,” said Jeff Bonde, who will send out both Miss Sunset and Princess Karen against the big two. “She gives you what you need.”

Princess Karen, second to Unique Bella in the L.A. Woman, was a respectable fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint last time out.

Faypien, best known for finishing second in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga, makes her first start in more than three months. This is an ideal distance for her, as she has finished first or second in all three of her seven-furlong races.

Mopotism, turning back to a sprint after finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and Marley’s Freedom and Just a Little Hope, each making her stakes debut, round out the field.