Santa Ynez S.

Every indication was there in her earlier races – Don Alberto Stable's Unique Bella had incredible potential.

The 3-year-old Tapit filly broke her maiden in November by 10 1/4 lengths at Del Mar with ease, but the step up to stakes company is sometimes steep, so she would have to prove it on the racetrack again.

On Jan. 8 at Santa Anita Park, she did just that. After sitting in a prime stalking position in the early stages, Unique Bella took the lead in the turn and cruised home to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths without any asking from jockey Mike Smith.

"When I saw everyone else send, I thought it was a good time to take a hold of her and see what happens," Smith said of Unique Bella. "It didn't seem to bother her. When we hit the far turn, it was like she was breathing different air."

Both Smith and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said after the race that they imagined Unique Bella would be closer to the pace with a better break from the gate, but they certainly were not displeased with the result.

"Well, I've always liked her. Today, she showed that she's brilliant," Hollendorfer said. "We thought she'd jump out of there a little better. I thought she would be close to the lead. Mike used his judgment and got behind, and then got to the outside, so it worked out well."

Fellow Hollendorfer trainee It Tiz Well closed from last in the five-filly field to pick up second place, 2 1/2 lengths clear of tiring odds-on favorite Shane's Girlfriend.

Sent off as the even-money second betting choice, Unique Bella covered seven furlongs in 1:22.21. The performance even inspired Hollendorfer, not one to get too far ahead of himself, to think about what she could be capable of.

"I don't know if we've seen all there is to Unique Bella," the Hall of Fame conditioner said.

Smith, who has partnered with Hollendorfer’s soon-to-be champion filly Songbird to win 11 of 12 races, went a step further.

"It's [reasonable] to compare her to [Songbird]," Smith said. "Again, she's very talented, but with room to grow. Hopefully, with each step, she'll get smarter about certain things. I'm just blessed. That's all I can say."

Pennsylvania-bred Unique Bella is the first foal to race out of 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (now Distaff) winner Unrivaled Belle. Don Alberto Stable bought the filly for $400,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale in 2015.