Charles Fipke’s Eclipse Award-winning older mare Forever Unbridled (Unbridled’s Song) drilled five furlongs over the Fair Grounds main track in 1:01.40 Friday morning as she continues her preparations for a start in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse Mar. 31.
“She was even the whole way, galloped out well,” trainer Dallas Stewart told the Fair Grounds press office. “It was a basic breeze for her. She needed a good rhythm and she needs to train. It was a good work, she came back good and didn’t struggle through any part of it.”
Forever Unbridled departs for Dubai Monday, Mar. 19.
The homebred daughter of 2006 GI Kentucky Oaks winner Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid) was third to Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Songbird (Medaglia d’Oro) in the 2016 GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but was perfect in three appearances last season, winning the GII Fleur de Lis H. and defeating Songbird in the GI Personal Ensign S. before adding the Distaff at Del Mar.
No female has contested the World Cup since Royal Delta (Empire Maker) in 2012 and 2013. The Japanese mare To The Victory (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) was runner-up to Captain Steve (Fly So Free) in the 2001 renewal at Nad al Sheba.
In other World Cup night news, Live Oak Plantation’s Holding Gold (Lonhro {Aus}) breezed a half-mile in :48.20 over the main track. Last-out winner of the Colonel Power S., Holding Gold is an intended runner in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200mT).