Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Forever Unbridled Logs Penultimate Local Breeze For Dubai World Cup

By Ryan Martinj —-

Stallion Heiress Makes Comeback In Nelson J. Menard
• Beyond Blame Steps Up In Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe

FOREVER UNBRIDLED LOGS PENULTIMATE LOCAL BREEZE FOR DUBAI WORLD CUP

Champion Older Dirt Mare Forever Unbridled turned in her second to last breeze in preparation for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Meydan Racecourse on Friday morning over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots main track. The 6-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song went five furlongs in 1:00.60, the third fastest of 37 recorded works at the distance.

Fair Grounds clockers caught Forever Unbridled in eighth-mile fractions of 12.80, 25.20 and 37.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.20 and seven furlongs in 1:27.80.

“She worked well,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “She galloped out well, came back and drinking a lot of water She always drinks a lot of water. She’s just maintaining herself and she never struggles. She’s doing well.”

Forever Unbridled has proven herself to be well-traveled in her 17-race career having won eight races, all of which took place over different surfaces. She has won five Grade I races including last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, which was her most recent start.

She is scheduled to have one final work over the Fair Grounds main track before shipping out on Monday, Mar. 19. Stewart stated that a decision regarding who will ride Forever Unbridled in the Dubai World Cup will likely be made this weekend.

Also working in preparation towards a trip to the United Arab Emirates was Live Oak Plantation’s Holding Gold who went a half-mile in :46.80 for trainer Mark Casse. The Florida-bred son of Lonhro (Aus.) won the Colonel Power Overnight Stakes on Feb. 17 last out and is pointing towards the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-I) on the Dubai World Cup undercard.

Also working on Friday morning from the Casse barn were John C. Oxley and Breeze Easy LLC’s Curlin’s Honor who breezed a half-mile in :47.80 for next Saturday’s Gr. II $900,000 Rebel Stakes (50-20-10-5) at Oaklawn Park. Working a half-mile for the Gr. III Jeff Ruby Steaks (20-10-5-2) at Turfway Park next Saturday was Ride A Comet who went the distance in :47.40. Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Valadorna and Gary Barber’s Wonder Gadot both completed their half-mile works in :47.80, the latter is still on target for the Gr. II $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (100-40-20-10) on Mar. 24.

Other notable works include Valene Stables’ Louisiana-bred Givemeaminit who went a half-mile in :49.00 and is likely for the $75,000 Crescent City Derby on Mar. 24. Possible for the Gr. II $1 million Louisiana Derby Presented by Twinspires.com (100-40-20-10) on Mar. 24, Newtown Anner Stud’s Dark Templar went five furlongs in 1:01.40. Wayne Spalding and Faron McCubbins’ Grade I winner Bullards Alley went five furlongs in 1:01.20.

STALLION HEIRESS MAKES COMEBACK IN NELSON J. MENARD

Two weeks ago, trainer Mike Stidham successfully brought Synchrony off of a long layoff to a stakes victory in the Gr. III Fair Grounds Handicap. On Saturday, he will attempt to do the same with Stallion Heiress in Saturday’s $50,000 Nelson J. Menard Overnight Stakes.

Owned by Stallionaire Enterprises LLC, the Ontario-bred daughter of Exchange Rate has not run since a well-beaten 11th place finish in the Woodbine Oaks in June. She kicked off her career over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course last winter with three victories, including a win in the Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Overnight Stakes.

“She had some end of the cannon bone remodeling, same thing as Synchrony,” Stidham said. “So we gave her some time and she’s come back and she’s training well again. She’s got a ton of talent and hopefully we got her back right and she can go back to her winning ways. She’s doing well again so I hope that we see the original Stallion Heiress.”

She will be guided by Joe Bravo and breaks from post six at 9-2 odds.

BEYOND BLAME STEPS UP IN ALLEN “BLACK CAT” LACOMBE

Following a nine-length romp in a local maiden special weight event, Pop A Top LLC’s Beyond Blame is going for the next big step into stakes company in Saturday’s $50,000 Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Memorial Stakes.

Trained by current leading conditioner Brad Cox, the 3-year-old daughter of Blame breaks from the rail under Joe Bravo at 5-1 morning line odds. She broke her maiden second time out on Feb. 10. In her Jan. 7 career debut she was second behind Kabella, who also is entered in Saturday’s race.

“She’s doing great, breezed fantastic last week and she’s ready to run,” Cox said. “Drawing the inside she should save a lot of ground and it’ll be up to Joe where he puts her in the race. It looks like there is going to be some speed in there, but she’s obviously still young and learning, but it looks like she can place herself wherever.”

Photo Courtesy of Hodges Photography