Unique Bella taking it easy ahead of Clement L. Hirsch Stakes

The champion Unique Bella has been in no hurry in recent workouts.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, Unique Bella breezed five furlongs in 1:03.80, a time three or four seconds slower than what she is capable of producing. The times are of little concern to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who said Unique Bella is on course for the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on July 29.

“She didn’t work very fast, but she worked well,” Hollendorfer said.

“We’ve gotten her slowed down, maybe too slowed down. She’ll be totally prepared for a race at the end of the meeting.”

The champion female sprinter of 2017, Unique Bella won the Grade 1 Beholder Mile by 2 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita on June 2, her seventh stakes win in her 11th start for Don Alberto Stable. A week before the Beholder Mile, Unique Bella breezed a half-mile in 52.20 seconds. In the race, Unique Bella was timed in 1:35.60, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 103.

“We know she can go fast,’ Hollendorfer said. “We blew her out before her last race. She worked in 52.

“Everyone was crabbing about that. Her last race was one of her better ones. We’re happy with the way she’s doing.”