Unique Bella stunned by Unbridled Mo at Oaklawn

Report: Oaklawn Park, Friday

Apple Blossom Handicap (Grade 1) | 1m½f | 4yo+ fillies/mares | dirt

Unique Bella was beaten at odds of 1-5 in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on Friday as Unbridled Mo (Todd Pletcher/Ricardo Santana Jr) landed her first Grade 1 success.

Ridden by Mike Smith, who has won the Apple Blossom six times since 1994, Unique Bella was slowest away from the gates but soon challenging early leader Farrell. Smith took his mount notably wide all the way down the back straight and sent her on leaving it.

She looked by far the likeliest winner even as they turned into the home straight, with Santana scrubbing away on Unbridled Mo in just fourth.

The alarm bells went off when Smith started working with Unique Bella just a neck up. Streamline initially looked the strongest challenger, but her effort soon petered out but Unbridled Mo stayed on powerfully.

Unique Bella has spent most of her career running over shorter distances, but had easily won the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes over the same trip on her previous start.

Unbridled Mo's trainer Pletcher is well used to Grade 1 victories, but jockey Santana was tasting top-level success for just the second time, having ridden Creator to win the 2016 Arkansas Derby.

Full result

Also on Friday was the Group 1 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland, which went the way of market leader Heart To Heart (Brian Lynch/Julien Leparoux), who made all and was unchallenged in scoring by a length and three-quarters.