'TDN Rising Star' Unique Bella (Tapit), a jaw-dropping winner of three straight, including a runaway tally while making her route debut in the GII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 5, will take on a pair of Grade I winners in Saturday's GIII Santa Ysabel S. at Santa Anita.
The Don Alberto Stable colorbearer, trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, closed as the even-money favorite in last weekend's GI Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. Favored at 1-5 on the Santa Ysabel morning line, the rail drawn Unique Bella tuned up for this with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 1/5 (8/97) in Arcadia Feb. 23.
“She can adapt to any situation,” assistant trainer Dan Ward said. “She can be on the lead or sit off it. She's schooled well for the race and ready to go.”
Abel Tasman (Quality Road), also riding a three-race winning streak, makes her first attempt since upsetting the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 10.
Last term's GI Chandelier S. and 'TDN Rising Star' Noted and Quoted (The Factor) also begins her sophomore campaign here. She tired to seventh when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Nov. 5.
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