Unique Bella proves she can win when not everything goes smoothly

ARCADIA, Calif.- Apparently not all stakes wins in these early months of the year will be a breeze for Unique Bella, who fought her way to a third consecutive victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Unique Bella won the $100,345 Santa Ysabel at 1 1/16 miles by 2 1/4 lengths after a poor start and a threat in early stretch from the Grade 1 winner Abel Tasman. The outcome was much closer than her first two stakes wins this year – by 7 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs on Jan. 8, or by 8 3/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile on Feb. 5.

“Not everything goes perfect in every race,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Sunday morning. “The big thing is she overcame the problem and looked good when asked to respond. At least you know she can survive the challenge.”

The result of the Santa Ysabel was what Hollendorfer and owner Don Alberto Stable hoped to see, and puts Unique Bella on course for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, a $400,000 race at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies on April 8.

Mike Smith is the regular rider of Unique Bella, who has won 4 of 5 starts. After the Santa Ysabel, Smith was concerned about the filly’s tardy start, but relieved that she found racing room to reach the front on the first turn and the way she repelled Abel Tasman in the stretch.

“Luckily there was a little gap and I squeezed through there,” Smith said. “I like the way she really responded.

“She got a little out of it. It might have been better than just loping around there.”

Unique Bella is considered the leading 3-year-old filly in the nation, and the top contender for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 5. The Santa Anita Oaks will be Unique Bella’s final prep for that race.

The competition Unique Bella will face in the Santa Anita Oaks was unclear on Sunday morning.

The race is unlikely to include Champagne Room, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2016. Champagne Room was third in the Las Virgenes Stakes and is fighting a foot issue that will prevent a start in the $75,000 China Doll Stakes on turf on Saturday, trainer Peter Eurton said.

Eurton said the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on April 8 is a possibility for Champagne Room, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last November.

“We might go straight to the Ashland,” he said. “I’ve got a little foot [problem] with her. I won’t run her if she’s not 100 percent.”

Abel Tasman could start in the Santa Anita Oaks or Ashland Stakes, trainer Simon Callaghan said on Sunday. The Santa Ysabel Stakes was Abel Tasman’s first start since a win in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos in December.

“I’m looking at options,” Callaghan said. “I’m not opposed to shipping or staying home.

“I want to see how she trains. She looks good this morning.”