b'eclipse awardsoLDer DIrT MALe oLDer DIrTAccelerate FeMALeBy JereMy BaLan Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1),Unique That Accelerate challenged a Tripleand Pacific Classic (G1)the bigBellaCrown winner for Horse of the Yearthree of the handicap division in honors tells you all you need to knowSouthern Californiain one season, about the kind of year the son of Lookinits how he did it. By CLaire CroSByAt Lucky had in 2018. He dominated a sloppy Big Cap Six winsfive in grade 1 races,by 5 12lengths, turned the tables onDespite a season cut short by injury, including the Breeders Cup Classic City of Light after their matchup inUnique Bella left a lasting impression in with his only loss by a neck to anotherthe Oaklawn Handicap (G2) to win2018.standout Breeders Cup winner, City ofthe Gold Cup by 4 14lengths and thenDon Alberto Stables big gray daughter Light, led to the Eclipse Award for oldertake the Pacific Classic by a record 12 12 of Tapit was retired Aug. 18 when a sesa-dirt male. lengths. moid chip was discovered in her ankle, but Its not just that Hronis Racings run- [Trainer John Sadler and I] lookedmemories of her two grade 1 wins, a grade ner joined Lava Man (2006) and Gameforward to his 5-year-old campaign,2 victory, and a runner-up performance in On Dude (2013) as the only horses toand John mapped it out so well, saidgrade 1 company stuck with voters through sweep the Santa Anita Handicap (G1),owner Kosta Hronis. We found outthe end of the year. Her Eclipse Award as early on in the year he was better at thechampion older dirt female joins the hard-classic distances. Did we expect whatware she was given for 2017, when she was we got? I dont think anybody can ex- named champion female sprinter. pect that to happen, but we always hadOnly 2 14lengths kept Unique Bel-great intentions. las 2018 campaign, brief as it was, from We went into every race feelingperfection. After a nine-length romp in the great. We know when they get in the1 116 -mile Santa Maria Stakes (G2) Feb. 10 starting gate the horse doesnt know hisat Santa Anita Park, her season debut for oddsthey didnt read the [past perfor- Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, mances], they dont knowbut wevethe 4-year-old traveled to Oaklawn Park for always felt confident with him. her lone start outside of California. There, Out of Issues, by Awesome Again,in the 1 116 -mile Apple Blossom Handi-and bred by Mike Abraham, Accel- cap (G1) April 13, she missed the break, erates Awesome Again Stakes (G1)rushed to the front, and was passed late by score and Breeders Cup ClassicUnbridled Mo.victory might not have been as visuallyHollendorfer lost no confidence in his impressive, but they showed determi- charge, and Unique Bella rewarded that nation and grit. In the Classic he evenfaith when she returned to her spectacular ended Sadlers infamous Breeders Cupways June 2 in the Beholder Mile Stakes drought. (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The trainer said he had startedThe race that capped her career will, to have doubts after Breeders Cupin retrospect, go down as a fitting farewell misfires with Catalina Cruiser [sixth inperformance. With longtime partner Mike the Dirt Mile, G1] and Selcourt [12thSmith in the irons, Unique Bella took to in the Filly & Mare Sprint, G1], and athe front in the July 29 Clement L. Hirsch near miss with Catapult [second in theStakes (G1) with that wicked cruising Mile, G1T], but his resolute chestnutspeed on full display. She held sway by a came through in the main event athalf-length under a moderate hand ride, Churchill Downs. the margin only narrow thanks to Smiths Were prepared for the worst andefforts to conserve her energy.hope for the best, Sadler said after theBred in Pennsylvania by Brushwood Classic. I felt good about him today.Stable out of the grade 1-winning Unbri-I think Kosta said the same thing. Hesdleds Song mare Unrivaled Belle, Unique been the best horse in this division allBella was a $400,000 purchase by Don Al-waLLy skaLijyear, so I thought if we had a good trip,berto from Eaton Sales consignment to the hed be tough. 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale. This horse is special. Hes showedNow she lives at the former Vinery Stud Accelerate won five grade 1 races to up every time. Hes danced everyin Lexington, acquired by Don Alberto in dominate his division. dance, Hronis added.late 2015.70 09_EclipseAwards_use.indd 70 3/21/19 2:55 PM'