Forever Unbridled Returns Strong in Fleur De Lis

Charles Fipke’s homebred Forever Unbridled made her first start since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last November. The five-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song rallied late to win the $200,000 Gr.2 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths Saturday, June 17.

Apologynotaccepted took the lead out of the gate and took the field through a quarter in :24.26 and a half in :48.71 as Forever Unbridled ran in fifth under jockey Joel Rosario. The leader opened up by a length and a half off the turn but could not fend off Forever Unbridled, who went four wide around the turn and reeled her in.

“She’s a true racehorse,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “That’s what they’re supposed to do. Coming off a seven-month layoff, we just had to run her and see where her fitness level was.”

The final time for the mile and an eighth over a fast track was 1:49.94.

“She’s a tremendous horse,” said Rosario. “I got her settled early and when we went by the half-mile pole, she was moving so easy. I just nudged her a bit and she took off. Dallas got her ready and did a tremendous job with her. To be able to ride a horse with this much class is such a blessing. I can’t wait for what’s next.”

Forever Unbridled was bred in Kentucky and is out of the Kentucky Oaks winning mare Lemons Forever, a daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid. The Fleur de Lis was part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series, awarding her a spot in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff. It was her fifth graded stakes win and sixth overall. Additionally, she has 3 seconds and 4 thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $1,711,880.

“We’ll probably (aim for) one at Saratoga (Race Course), maybe one at Belmont (Park). We’ll talk to Mr. Fipke and see what makes sense. He’s the breeder, the owner, he’s put a lot into it, and he’s a really great guy to work for,” Stewart said. “How lucky are we to have such an unbelievable horse like this in our barn? I told Joel to get her settled early and keep her out of trouble. He was barely moving on her and she won easily. We just need to keep her happy and healthy, and we’ll have her ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”

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