Unbridled Beauty on Adirondack Stage

(from track report)
It was little more than a year ago that a bay filly with Hip No. 31, consigned by Gainesway Farms, so impressed Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas that he convinced owners Bob and Beverly Lewis to place a bid on the horse.

When the gavel hit, the Lewises got the filly, later named Unbridled Beauty, for $750,000, 10 times more than the stud fee for her sire, Unbridled's Song.

Unbridled Beauty crosses Union Avenue at Saratoga Race Course on Monday afternoon to compete against six other two-year-old fillies in the $150,000 Adirondack (gr. II) at 6 ½ furlongs.

As a sire, Unbridled's Song helped produce several grade I winners, including Breeders' Cup Distaff champion Unbridled Elaine, Wood Memorial winner Buddha and the Fountain of Youth winner Songandaprayer.

Unbridled Beauty's dam, Dreamscape, a Mt. Livermore mare who never raced and had not yet proven herself as a broodmare prior to Unbridled Beauty's races. Her first foal died as a yearling and her second foal had not raced.

Dreamscape, however, is a full sister to Housebuster, a two-time sprint champion.

"The first thing I look for in a horse is conformation, then I look at the pedigree," Lukas said. "I've always liked horses bred by Mt. Livermore. Unbridled Beauty is so athletic looking. She has actually looked better that I thought she would. We were really happy with what we paid for her."

Lukas was pleased with what Dreamscape had produced that he just helped David Clark purchase a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton sales last Thursday. This one is by sprinting champion Artax and sold for $270,000.

Unbridled Beauty displayed her athleticism with ease at Churchill Downs when she romped in her debut by 7¼ lengths under a hand ride by Cornelio Velasquez on May 26. However, she was unable to follow through with a similar performance a month later as she finished second to Feline Story in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park.

"I think I brought her back a little too quick off her maiden race," Lukas said. "It just wasn't her day to run. She got off a little late from the gate. I think the real Unbridled Beauty will show up for the Adirondack."

Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey will ride Unbridled Beauty again as the horse will while breaking from post 4.

Trainer Patrick Biancone saved Whoopi Cat from being sold at the Keeneland two-year-olds in training sale last May after owner Richard Giacopelli asked him of his opinion of the filly by Tale of the Cat.

"I told him that I liked her and I didn't want him to lose her," Biancone said. "She's very powerful and has strong hind quarters. She looks very much like her father."

Tale of the Cat came to Saratoga six years ago to win the King's Bishop, which was a grade II race at that time. He finished his career just running in five races and winning three of them. Her dam, Whoopi, was a stakes winner in New Zealand.

Whoopi Cat made an impression in her first start with a six-length victory at Belmont on July 11. Since then, Biancone has been carefully selecting his spots to develop the filly.

"I would have liked to find her an (non-winners of two races lifetime) allowance race before moving her up into stakes company," Biancone said. "There was an allowance race for her last week, but I thought that was bringing her back too quickly. I usually like to give young horses about a month before first and second race."

Edgar Prado will be aboard Whoopi Cat again as she is will break post position 5.

Todd Pletcher has been having a sensational meeting; he entered Saturday's card two behind Hall of Fame trainer Sylvester Veitch's 1954 Saratoga single-season victory record of 24, set during a 24-day meet. Saturday was only the 16th day of Saratoga's 36-day 2003 season.

On Opening Day, Pletcher had Ashado and Hermoine's Magic, who finished first and third respectively, in the Schuylerville. Pletcher is now entering Lokoya, a $182,000 yearling purchase by James Scatuorchio at last year's Fasig-Tipton sale. Lokoya drew away by three lengths to win her debut on Independence Day at Belmont.

Eye Dazzler won her debut by 5¼ lengths under a vigorous hand ride at Monmouth Park last month for trainer Mark Hennig and owner Lee Lewis. Eibar Coa rides Eye Dazzler and will break from post 2.

$150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II), 2-year-old fillies, 6 furlongs
PP. HORSE, TRAINER, JOCKEY
1. Wild Berry, Michael Gorham, Cornelio Velasquez
2. Eye Dazzler, Mark Hennig, Eibar Coa
3. Lokoya, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez
4. Unbridled Beauty, D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey
5. Whoopi Cat, Patrick Biancone, Edgar Prado
6. Pierian Spring, Russell Mueller, Robby Albarado
7. Earthquake Ride, Joe Orseno, Javier Castellano
All starters carry 116 pounds.