Susie Raisher Photo

Uni captures first North American stakes win in G2 Sands Point

by NYRA Press Office

Michael Dubb and Head of Plains Partner's British-bred filly Uni scored her first North American stakes win Saturday at Belmont Park, capturing the Grade 2, $400,000 Sands Point with a strong closing run in the middle of the stretch to win by a neck over front-running multiple-graded stakes winner La Coronel. 

The win was the third of the day for both jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and trainer Chad Brown. 

La Coronel took the lead heading into the first turn, leading the field of eight through easy fractions of 25.67 seconds for the quarter-mile, 49.99 for the half and 1:13.12 for three-quarters. After breaking well, Ortiz moved Uni to the rail and saved ground in the middle of the pack before angling out six wide in the stretch, passing La Coronel in the final jumps to complete the 1 ⅛ miles on a firm inner turf course in 1:48.97.  

"The fractions weren't very strong. I think there was plenty of give and you could see the divots coming up. It was hard to gauge how slow the turf course is, as well," Brown said. "We were tucked in good there in the first turn. I thought she had a really good trip, maybe got held up a touch there and had to wait to make a run until she found some room but, man, this horse has some kick. She just keeps improving."

"This is her best race to date and she's an exciting horse for the future. We really like her," he added.

The win was Uni's third career victory in nine starts and first win in three starts in North America. The More Than Ready filly finished third in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 8 and second in the Grade 2 Lake Placid at Saratoga Race Course.

"She's been trying hard every time. The first time I rode her here [in the Belmont Oaks], she didn't break good and was four back, but she's still been making runs. They key for me today was to try and break good," Ortiz said. "The last time, there was no pace and she broke slow too. But today she broke good and she put me in a good spot, and that was the key."

The win pushes Uni's career earnings to $462,880. Brown said that if she comes out of the race well, he will talk to the owners about running in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II on October 14 at Keeneland. 

Uni paid $4.70 on a $2 win bet as the 6-5 favorite. Finishing third was Fault, followed by Inflexibility, Fifty Five, Vue Fantastique, Empressof the Nile, and Defiant Honor. Chastise was scratched.