ELMONT, NY – Trainer Chad Brown’s dominance of the female turf division continued on Saturday when his pupil Uni made her 2019 debut in impressive fashion to win the $100,000 Perfect Sting Stakes at Belmont Park.
Breaking from post 3 under Joel Rosario as the 2/5 prohibitive favorite, Uni took back into her usual position at the rear of the field while Too Charming posted opening fractions of :23.92, :47.63, and 1:10.51. Mrs. Ramona G. began applying pressure in the far turn and emerged onto the front stretch with a slim advantage, but behind her, Rosario let Uni begin to stretch out her legs.
Rosario remained frozen aboard Uni as she circled the field with tremendous ease and took over near the 1/16 pole. Continuing to inch away under a hand ride, Uni trainee crossed with a length advantage in a final time of 1:32.84 for the mile-long event over the firm turf course.
“She went easy most of the way and then towards home she took me for a ride,” Rosario said. “She finished well. She really looked the best among the field on paper and showed it today. She’s just a runner. She’s able to make a big move and got the job done.”
Mrs. Ramona G. ran on well to hold second by 1 1/2 lengths over the winner’s stablemate Bellavais. Too Charming faded to fourth, outrunning only Binti Al Nar to complete the order of finish.
Uni’s win was her fifth straight after sweeping all four of her 2018 starts, which culminated in the Matriarch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar in December. The British-bred 5-year-old daughter of More Than Ready now carries a lifetime record of 15-8-3-2 with $947,880 earned for co-owners Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta, and Bethlehem Stables.
Uni returned $2.90 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. Mrs. Ramona G. brought back $4.30 to place and $2.40 to show, while Bellavais paid $2.10 to show.
