Forever Unbridled Claims Ladies Classic

Forever Unbridled continued her recent run of good form Jan. 30 when she took over from pacesetter and defending race winner Cassatt to claim the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic (gr. III) at Sam Houston Race Park.

Charles Fipke's 4-year-old homebred daughter of Unbridled's Song, out of 2006 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Lemons Forever, came into the 1 1/16-mile Ladies Classic off a victory in the Nov. 28 Comely Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack. That was her first score for trainer Dallas Stewart since she broke her maiden in December of 2014, and just her second start since she finished 11th in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

BALAN: Forever Unbridled Breaks Through in Comely

In the Ladies Classic, which was granted grade III status for the first time this year, Cassatt was hustled to the early lead and set opening fractions of :24.42 and :48.79 while tracked by Cali Star and Diva's Diamond. Forever Unbridled ran fourth on the inside under jockey Joel Rosario, but was swung out to make her run as three-quarters went in 1:12.49.

Cassatt put in a good fight but tired in the final furlong, as Forever Unbridled ran by through a 1:37.38 mile en route to a final time of 1:43.74. Cali Star was 1 3/4 lengths back, and edged Cassatt for the place.

Forever Unbridled returned $4.40, $2.60, and $2.10 at 6-5. Cali Star brought $4.60 and $3, and Cassatt paid $2.40. Theogony, Welcome Aboard, and Diva's Diamond completed the order of finish. Rose to Glory scratched.

The win extended Unbridled Forever's record to 3-2-2 from nine starts for earnings of $551,600.