TDN RISING STARS

August 16, 2015 - Saratoga, Race 4, Msw, USD $83,000, 1 1/16M

Unbridled Daddy, G, 2, 2013 by Scat Daddy

1st Dam: Unbridled Essence (GSW, $324,957), by Essence of Dubai
2nd Dam: Unbridled Waters, by Unbridled
3rd Dam: Waterside, by Topsider

Owner: Red Oak Stable (Brunetti)
Breeder: Red Oak Stable (Brunetti) (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Unbridled Daddy, a debut fourth over six furlongs of Belmont sod July 19, attracted all the money at the windows and was favored at 2-1 for this stretch out, where he garnered ‘TDN Rising Star’ status for his out-of-the-clouds victory. Far back, as stablemate Azar (Scat Daddy) showed the way through moderate splits of :24.32 for the quarter and :49.37 for the half, the Red Oak Stable homebred had over eight lengths to make up at this juncture while three off the rail. Azar still maintained his advantage after six panels in 1:13.98, and it looked like he would secure the win, but the dark bay was just winding up. He launched a ferocious rally up the center of the course, still seven lengths behind and was steered even farther towards the grandstand side to find running room. Unbridled Daddy outfooted his rivals–getting his final sixteenth in :5.80 according to Trakus–with a scintillating turn of foot to score by three parts of a length over Azar, who stayed on stubbornly for place honors.
“We were watching down here from Hialeah and we were definitely concerned down the backside given the pace,� admitted Rick Sacco, Racing Manager for John Brunetti’s Red Oak Stable. (Brunetti owns Hialeah). “But [jockey] Irad [Ortiz Jr.] told Todd after the race that the colt has great balance. He is a neat and well-balanced horse, not all that big, but very intelligent and great conformation. We’re looking forward to his next start.�
Unbridled Daddy is the first foal from Red Oak’s homebred Unbridled Essence (Essence of Dubai), a one-time claimer whose shining moment came courtesy of a 41-1 upset of the GIII Matchmaker S. at Monmouth Park on Haskell Day 2010. Though officially a homebred for Red Oak, the mating for Unbridled Daddy was put together by Steven Brunetti, son of Red Oak principle John Brunetti. “He loved Scat Daddy, thought he represented a lot of value for what he was standing for at the time and he was a good match for the mare,� continued Sacco of the decision to go to the Coolmore sire. Unbridled Essence is the dam of a yearling colt of this season by Candy Ride (Arg) and was bred to First Samurai this spring. According Sacco, Unbridled Daddy is under consideration for the GII With Anticipation S. at Saratoga Sept. 2, but is more likely to await the GIII Pilgrim S. at Belmont Park Sept. 26. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $53,550.