HOT SPRINGS, Ark.—Unbridled Twister will not run in the $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ Stakes May 6 following a subpar performance in an April 8 allowance race, trainer Al Cates of Hot Springs said Sunday morning.
Unbridled Twister finished a fast-closing second in the $150,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes for Arkansas-bred female sprinters March 5. Cates won the 2010 Natural State Breeders’ Stakes – its only running to date – with Smell the Roses. The race for Arkansas-bred females has been brought back in 2022 and extended from 6 furlongs to a mile. Unbridled Twister figured to be among the favorites May 6 before finishing seventh against open company in a first-level allowance at 1 mile earlier this month.
“We’re still a little confused if she wants to go two turns or not and that last time, there was a pretty fast pace and she quit,” Cates said. “She’s OK, but we’re going to skip it. Hope to run her somewhere before the end of the meet.”
The Natural State Breeders’ Stakes field is expected to be headed by The Mary Rose, a two-time allowance winner in open company at the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting for trainer John Ortiz and breeder/owner John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs.
A victory in the Natural State Breeders’ Stakes would make The Mary Rose ($438,904) the all-time leading Arkansas-bred female money winner in history. Multiple Grade 3 winner Humble Clerk earned a record $503,545 racing in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
The Mary Rose hasn’t started since finishing a weakening fifth over a synthetic surface in the $200,000 Latonia Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles April 2 at Turfway Park.
“She just didn’t like the surface,” Ortiz said. “We know she likes it here, so she wants to be back home.”
The Natural State Breeders’ Stakes closed April 22 with 17 nominations. Post positions will be drawn Saturday. Summer Shoes (2 for 2 at the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting) also is pointing for the Natural State Breeders’ Stakes, trainer Tom Swearingen said.
Oaklawn Barn Notes by Robert Yates
Photo: Unbridled Twister under Ricardo Santana Jr., gave a game effort in the Downthedustyroad. (Coady Photography)
