ON the West Coast, the beat kept beating as Unique Bella registered a two and a quarter-length win over Abel Tasman and Spooky Woods in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel at Santa Anita. Owned by Don Alberto Stable, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Mike Smith, the daughter of Tapit earned her fourth win in a row while turning back the first real challenge she’s faced since losing her debut in June. Abel Tasman made a run but couldn’t get past the grey filly.

“We have a very talented filly and we’d like to look at the Kentucky Oaks,” Hollendorfer said. “We like to take one step at a time.”

Sounds a lot like last year when Hollendorfer mapped out a step-by-step plan for Songbird, culminating in the three-year-old filly championship.

Clancy goes to Cheltenham

OKAY enough about horses racing around a circle. It’s time for Cheltenham.

As you read this, I’ll be digging around my closet looking for my trilby and my tweed overcoat (what, you didn’t think Americans have trilbys and tweed?) gearing up for my trip to Cheltenham. I used to write my blankety-blank annual trip to Cheltenham, but alas, that streak was upended last year by a herniated disc in my neck. Just for the record, when someone tells you it’s better on TV, forget it, like saying sex is better by yourself (can I write that?).

The disc has settled, at least enough for a plane ride, but perhaps not well enough to gallop two sets for George Baker at Manton before setting off for racing at Cheltenham.

We’ll see.

If you see me at Cheltenham, be wary of my neck, let’s grab a Guinness and one other thing…let’s not talk politics. I’d rather talk about the Irish banker in the Supreme Hurdle than the American buffoon in the White House. Thinking about it, that’s the best part of Cheltenham, putting distractions, deadlines, disappointments aside and relishing spectacle and sport. Let the games begin.