Unique Bella towers over Kentucky Oaks Future Wager rivals

Unique Bella ran faster than any Kentucky Derby hopeful this year when capturing the Las Virgenes (G2) at Santa Anita on February 5, registering a 106 BRIS Speed rating for the 8 ¾-length decision, and the Tapit filly will be an overwhelming favorite in the three-day Kentucky Oaks Future Wager that runs from noon (ET) on Friday to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Listed as #22, Unique Bella was made the 8-5 morning line favorite by Churchill Downs’ oddsmaker Mike Battaglia. Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer trains the gray lass, a daughter of 2010 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Unrivaled Belle, and Unique Bella has won three straight by convincing margins. She is nominated to the Triple Crown but for the time being, Unique Bella is being pointed toward the Kentucky Oaks on May 5.

#24 Mutuel Field option of “All other 3-year-old fillies” comes next on the morning line at 8-1.

Individual interests include #1 Abel Tasman (10-1 morning line), last seen winning the Los Alamitos Starlet (G1); Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up #23 Valadorna (12-1), a top contender in Saturday’s Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds; multiple stakes queen and Rachel Alexandra contender #7 Farrell (15-1); and Santa Ynez (G2) runner-up #9 It Tiz Well (12-1), who exits a recent allowance romp.

The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager runs concurrently with Pool 3 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW3). However, KDFW3 closes at 6 p.m. on Sunday, a half-hour earlier than the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Brisnet.com will have free past performance information for both future wagers and live odds are available at TwinSpires.com, the official wagering site of the 2017 Kentucky Derby.