Unbridled Beast wins third straight in ITOBA's Donald Dearth Memorial Stakes

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2020) – Unbridled Beast is living up to his name. The sophomore son of Unbridled Express rallied home for his third straight win of 2020 in the seventh running of the $75,000 ITOBA Stallion Season Donald Dearth Memorial Stakes Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Indiana Grand.

Ridden by Rodney Prescott, Unbridled Beast began his journey from post two in the eight-horse lineup. Maters N Taters and Eddie Perez rolled out to an early lead from post one, giving Unbridled Beast the perfect opportunity to sit right in the garden spot at his heels for most of the one-mile event.

Around the final turn, Prescott began to pick the reins up on Unbridled Beast for more speed, and he got it. The grey gelding shot by Maters N Taters and was on top by three lengths at the head of the lane. As the finish line neared, Unbridled Beast was a convincing winner by five and one-half lengths in a time of 1:38.23. Cash Logistics and DeShawn Parker closed well in second on the outside over Nates Heartthrob and Santo Sanjur for third.

“There were a couple of horse in here with some speed to our outside, and I thought they might be in front, but we got the trip I was hoping for,” said Prescott. “Last time was the first time he (Unbridled Beast) had been around two turns, but he was on the front and we caught some easy fractions. I was hoping today he would relax behind horses and he did. He loped along nice and relaxed and when I called on him, he took off.”

Unbridled Beast earned his fourth win in six starts for his career. Prescott has now been aboard for three of those trips to the winner’s circle.

Owned by Michael Neafus and Randy Matthews, Unbridled Beast was the second choice of the race, paying $5.00, $2.80, $2.10 across the board. The homebred by Matthews and his wife Karen, increased his career bankroll to more than $115,000 and was the recipient of a bonus of $3,000 from the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) as an Indiana sired product.

The race was named in honor of longtime Thoroughbred trainer Donald Dearth, who passed away in August. Dearth’s entire family was trackside to assist in presenting the trophy and blanket to the winning connections.

“This means a lot to us,” said Rhonda Day, Dearth’s longtime partner. “ITOBA called and invited us to this race and we are all here. His girls, his grandkids and even his great grandkids. It just shows us how appreciative everyone is of all the years Don trained in Indiana. We are really glad to be here.”

Photos by Coady Photography