Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine, with jocky Pat Day.
Roger Devenport's Unbridled Elaine, who won the 2001 Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) as a 3-year-old, has been retired from racing because of ankle problems. The daughter of Unbridled's Song was sent from trainer Dallas Stewart's barn at Fair Grounds to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington for the removal of a chip on her right ankle. An examination revealed that the chip did not present a problem, and no surgery was performed. An examination of the left ankle revealed the opposite, and Devenport decided to retire her. Unbridled Elaine arrived at Devenport's Six D Ranch near Lexington the night of Feb. 4 and is doing fine, according to the owner. Breeding plans are undecided, but Devenport said he is considering Thunder Gulch.Devenport bought Unbridled Elaine as a weanling for $230,000 at the 1998 Keeneland November breeding season and ended up winning $1,770,740 with her in just two years of racing. Named after Devenport's daughter, Elaine, Unbridled Elaine started her career for Stewart, then was turned over to conditioner David Vance midway through her 3-year-old season. About a week before the Oct. 27 Distaff, Devenport returned the filly to Stewart. Sent off at 12-1 in the 1 1/8-mile race, Unbridled Elaine got up to beat the previous year's winner Spain by a head under Pat Day. About a month later, she ran third in the Falls City Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs in what would be her final start.Unbridled Elaine, who was bred by Golden Orb Farm and K. David Schwartz, won six of 11 races. She captured the Pocahontas Stakes at two and took the Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (gr. II) and Iowa Oaks at three. She tried males in the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) and finished second to champion Macho Uno. Unbridled Elaine, who was produced from the Taylor's Falls mare Carols Folly, is a half-sister to millionaire Glitter Woman.
