Racing! Unique Bella comes away with a close win at Del Mar

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we look at life after the Kentucky Derby.

Everyone always thinks that the Kentucky Derby brings together the 20 best 3-year-olds in the country. The thinking is success is in their future, especially if they aren’t running against a super horse such as Justify.

Good Magic’s dominating win in Sunday’s Haskell, a race Justify was pointed toward, shows that success among the 19 Kentucky Derby losers is not all that great. Now, there are many mitigating factors, such as after a tough Derby prep campaign the colts need a rest. There is also the absence of strong non-sprint 3-year-old races immediately after the Triple Crown.

But here are the stats. After Sunday, and excluding Justify, the Derby horses are three for 25 since they ran in Churchill’s signature race. Four of the other 19 horses haven’t even raced since the Derby—Audible, Instilled Regard, Enticed and Magnum Moon (retired due to injury).

The winners, besides Good Magic, were Hofburg winning the Curlin Stakes and Firenze Fire won the Dwyer (not Dwyre) Stakes. Bravazo and Lone Sailor, who each ran in Sunday’s Haskell, are 0 for 3. Vino Rosso, Flameaway and Noble Indy are 0-2.

Actually, if you look at the Triple Crown race winners for the two years between Justify and American Pharoah, only one ever went on to win a race after their Triple Crown race. That was Exaggerator, who won the Haskell.

Since winning the Kentucky Derby, Always Dreaming is 0-5 and Nyquist was 0-3. Preakness winner Cloud Computing was 0-3 after his win and Exaggerator was 1-4.

Belmont winner Tapwrit continued on to go 0-3 and Creator was 0-2.

It seems as if competing on the biggest stages would be a sign of future success. But, the stats say otherwise.

Del Mar review

The chart—with a ½-length win—will read closer than it really was as Unique Bella won the Grade 1 $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. Unique Bella, without any urging, went to the front and pretty much loped around the track under quiet ride by Mike Smith. La Force made a strong surge at the end but Smith never went to the whip and allowed Unique Bella to win her ninth race in 12 starts.

It reminded me of the Preakness when Smith knew that Justify had enough to win and ignored the fast-charging Bravazo. Unique Bella paid $2.20, $2.10, $2.10, creating a minus pool for the track in order to satisfy the bridge-jumpers (those making huge show bets for 5 cents on the dollar). Bernina Star was third.

“She ran OK,� Smith said. “This wasn’t her best race, but it was OK. She blew a shoe coming away from there and she was a little uncomfortable. When she heard that other mare coming, she surged again. This wasn’t her best, but it was good enough.�

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was happy with the effort.

“We take every race seriously and we took this one seriously,� Hollendorfer said. “She won, and we’re happy with the way she did it. Until they hit the wire, you’re always concerned if they’ll get there. She’s been off a while and we wanted to get a win so we could plan the next race, which will either be back east or here. We’re not sure yet.�

It says something about Unique Bella when Hollendorfer can view a Grade 1 as a prep race.

In the other stakes race, the $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies, Just Grazed Me sailed through the stretch to win by 3 1/2-lengths over Show It N Moe It. Phil D’Amato was the winning trainer with Tyler Baze in the saddle.

Just Grazed Me paid $8.40, $4.60 and $3.60. One Fast Broad was third and Spiced Perfection was fourth.

“The thing I like about this filly is she’s versatile,� D’Amato said. “As a 2-year-old she had some shin problems. So, we took our time with her and took care of that. Since then she’s really come on strong. She’s very well composed, very rate-able, has a nice little kick, and I think she’s just going to get better.�

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Monmouth: Grade 3 $100,000 Oceanport Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Winner: Synchrony ($3.40)

Monmouth: Grade 3 $150,000 Monmouth Cup Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Name Changer ($10.40)

Monmouth: Grade 3 $100,000 Matchmaker Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Elysea’s World ($10.80)

Woodbine: Grade 2 $175,000 Royal North Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 6 furlongs on the turf. Winner: Way to Versailles ($21.20)

Monmouth: Grade 3 $100,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Berned ($10.20)

Saratoga: Grade 3 $200,000 Shuvee Handicap, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Farrell ($20.20)

Monmouth: Grade 1 $1 million Haskell Invitational, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Good Magic ($3.00)

Woodbine: Grade 3 $125,000 Vigil Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Pink Lloyd ($2.80)

Del Mar: Grade 1 $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Unique Bella ($2.20)

Del Mar: $150,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, Cal-bred fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Winner: Just Grazed Me ($8.40)

Final thought

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Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Wednesday.

DANUSKA'S MY GIRL had speed between horses then angled in and set a pressured pace inside, inched away leaving the turn, drifted out some in the final furlong but held gamely under urging. TIZ TOFFEE stalked the pace inside, came out on the turn and again into the stretch and finished willingly. DON'TEATMYCOOKIES pressed the pace outside the winner then stalked just off the rail leaving the turn, drifted to the inside from the whip in the stretch and held third. MY MIDNIGHT AFFAIR chased outside a rival then off the rail, came out on the turn, angled in some entering the stretch and weakened. VICTORIA'SPROSPECT chased a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and in the stretch and also weakened. EXES N OHS stalked outside a rival, dropped back off the inside on the turn and gave way.

SALIENT angled in and dueled outside a rival, fought back in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. ULTIMATE BANGO bumped at the break, stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, came out into the stretch and surged between foes late. KING ABNER saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch, came out some for room then was in tight off heels in deep stretch, angled in and finished willingly along the rail. HOLLYWOOD SQUARE had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back in the stretch, drifted out a bit despite right handed urging in deep stretch and was edged for the show. PSYCHO DAR stalked between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and was outfinished. MORGAN S. bumped at the start, stalked inside then split foes into the turn, was in a bit tight off heels a quarter mile out, angled back to the inside and lacked the needed rally. YES I'M READY broke in and bumped a rival, chased outside a foe then three deep on the turn, angled in between horses into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. VUTZAK four wide early, stalked three deep then off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. HAND TIMED.

ANONYMITY dueled a bit off the rail, inched away on the turn and drew off through the stretch under a moderate hand ride while being shown the whip and a hold late. MUNNY SPUNT saved ground chasing the pace throughout and held second. TRUE ROYALTY stalked a bit off the rail, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and was edged for the place. LIFE'S BLESSINGS chased outside a rival then off the rail, angled in a bit off the fence on the turn and into the stretch, split rivals late and was edged for the show. THE SPIRAL JETTER settled a bit off the rail then outside a rival on the turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. TIME FOR EBBY chased outside then three deep on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. SHANGHAI TARIFF prompted the pace outside the winner then stalked off the rail leaving the turn and weakened. MISTRESSOFTHENIGHT chased just off the rail, dropped back inside on the turn and had little left for the drive.

SUMMERING had good early speed and set a pressured pace inside, kicked clear in the stretch and drew off under some urging. COLONIAL CREED pressed the pace three deep then stalked between horses or off the rail, re-bid between foes leaving the second turn and held the place. KATHRYN'S SKY angled in and chased outside a rival, then between foes leaving the backstretch, went three deep a quarter mile out and outside a rival into the stretch and bested the others. VIBRANCE pressed then stalked the pace four wide, bid again three deep leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the drive. ALGORITHMNBLUES angled in and saved ground stalking the pace to the stretch and also weakened. WHATS YUR STORY unhurried outside a rival early, went three deep leaving the second turn, angled in outside a foe into the stretch and did not rally. GIRL CAN PARTIE drifted out on the first turn, angled in and saved ground to no avail. MISS BENNET settled off the pace inside, saved ground throughout and weakened. THE LADY IS ENOUGH chased inside then a bit off the rail, was outside a rival leaving the backstretch and lacked a further response. ZIP'S SECRET dueled between horses then outside the winner, dropped back between foes on the second turn and gave way.

UNIQUE BELLA sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail under a rating hold, opened up along the inside in the stretch and held sway under a moderate hand ride. LA FORCE (GER) chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch and finished willingly to close the gap to the winner. BERNINA STAR bobbled at the start, settled inside, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and gained the show. YUVETSI well placed stalking the winner just off the rail to the stretch, weakened. SHENANDOAH QUEEN angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and weakened in the drive.

ROADSTER reluctant to load, chased inside then outside a rival, continued ranged up off the rail on the turn, took the lead outside a rival into the stretch, kicked clear when shaken up with the reins in the drive and drew off under a long hold. ISTANBUL chased outside then four wide on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch, drifted in and gained the place. JEFE wide early, settled off the rail, angled to the inside leaving the backstretch, came out on the turn and three deep into the stretch and edged a rival for third. PARSIMONY stalked between foes then three deep between rivals into and on the turn and into the stretch, drifted inward in the drive and was edged for the show. GUNMETAL GRAY chased between rivals then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. SAVAGERY angled in and dueled outside a rival, inched away and angled in on the turn, battled briefly inside the winner into the stretch and weakened. VIEW MAGIC bobbled at the start, chased between horses then outside a rival on the turn, continued a bit off the rail into the stretch and also weakened. SEVEN OXEN also chased between horses then a bit off the rail, dropped back on the turn and had little left for the drive. OF GOOD REPORT angled in and dueled inside, stalked along the rail leaving the turn, gave way and was eased in the final furlong. THIN LINE saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the turn, also gave way and was eased in the drive.

POSTER GIRL (GB) saved ground stalking the pace, bid along the rail in the stretch, gained the advantage past midstretch and proved best under urging. QUEBEC stalked outside a rival, bid three deep into the stretch and in midstretch, could not match the winner late but held second. CHEEKABOO chased between horses then a bit off the rail, went between foes again on the second turn, came out in the drive and got up late for third. PAINTING CORNERS sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back between horses under urging in midstretch, had the rider lose the whip nearing he sixteenth pole and was edged for the show. INDIA MANTUANA pulled between horses chasing the pace, came out some in the stretch and was outfinished for a minor share. THE TULIP (IRE) angled in and settled inside, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. MORNING DANCE saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the needed rally. CAUSEWAY CAROLYN chased three deep then outside a rival, continued three wide on the second turn, swung five wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. MISS SUGARS (GB) settled three deep then outside a rival chasing the pace to the stretch and lacked a rally. FUERZA stalked the pace three deep, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. HENNESSY EXPRESS close up staking the pace outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

JUST GRAZED ME chased outside then off the rail, moved up four wide on the turn, bid three deep into the stretch to gain the lead, kicked clear and proved best under urging. SHOW IT N MOE IT stalked off the inside, continued three deep leaving the turn, angled in and bid between horses into the stretch and was clearly second best. ONE FAST BROAD bobbled slightly at the break, settled outside a rival then off the rail, came out three wide into the stretch and bested the others. SPICED PERFECTION stalked a bit off the rail then between foes into and on the turn, found the rail leaving the turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. IMPECUNIOUS sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled into the stretch and had little left in the final furlong. KIMBERLEA K bobbled at the start, stalked inside then a bit off the rail into and on the turn and gave way in the lane. LOVING LYNDA saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and also gave way.

RAVEN CREEK saved ground stalking the pace, awaited room leaving the second turn, got through inside to bid in upper stretch and gained the advantage, inched away in midstretch and held under urging. SAVE GROUND chased inside then between horses into and on the second turn, was fanned out five wide into the stretch, drifted in and finished well for the place. SIX POINT RACK saved ground chasing the pace, went between horses leaving the backstretch and three wide on the second turn, came out six wide into the stretch and also finished with interest. SENATOR ROBERT a bit slow to begin, settled inside, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and improved position while the rider lost the whip at the wire. ACCREDITATION angled in and saved ground off the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. HUDDLE sped to the early lead, angled in and set a pressured pace inside, came off the rail into the stretch, was between foes in upper stretch and weakened in the final furlong. JERSEY'S HEAT settled off the pace inside, came out on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and could not offer the needed late kick. PREMIUM FOREST chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. UNPOSSIBLE three deep on the first turn, stalked outside, went up four wide leaving the backstretch, bid three wide leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. CALIFORNIA JOURNEY stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid between horses leaving the second turn and three wide into the stretch and also weakened. DRIZZY angled in and chased a bit off the rail then inside, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive. SATORI a step slow into stride, pulled between horses then pressed the pace outside a rival, steadied between horses into the second turn and gave way.