Del Mar: Tilde looks right in Generous Portion

DEL MAR, Calif. – Considering her lineage, it was no surprise the 2-year-old filly Tilde was foaled as a gray.

“Her mother is gray, she has six full sisters and all but one is a gray,” said trainer-owner-breeder Mike Harrington.

Sired by Swiss Yodeler and the 10th foal out of broodmare Self Taught, Tilde might resemble her siblings in color. But three starts into her career, Tilde already has outperformed her family when it comes to green, the color of money.

Tilde has won two races and $109,560, and is the top earner from 10 Swiss Yodeler-Self Taught foals that include seven fillies. Wednesday at Del Mar, Tilde is expected to boost her total in the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies.

Nine entered the six-furlong stake as Tilde’s jockey Rafael Bejarano inches closer to the Del Mar single-season stakes record. Bejarano has won 10 stakes this summer, two short of the record. The question Wednesday: Did Bejarano and agent Joe Ferrer choose the right filly for the Generous Portion?

Bejarano rode Bert’s Altarcation to a sharp debut victory July 14 at Hollywood Park for trainer Marty Jones. She will be ridden Wednesday by Garrett Gomez. Bert’s Altarcation and maiden winner Tribal Gal are the top threats to Tilde, who won her debut in May at Hollywood, finished third in June in the Cinderella Stakes, and followed with a 3 1/2-length victory July 20 at Del Mar in the $100,000 CTBA Stakes.

“She trains easily, does her job, and then goes out and runs,” Harrington said.

Bejarano has ridden Tilde in all three starts. Drawn outside her main rivals in post 7, Tilde again has options.

“Last time, Bejarano and I agreed we’d bring her off the pace,” Harrington said. Tilde had other ideas. She broke running, Bejarano allowed her to use her speed, and she drew away late.

With four workouts since, and a seasoning advantage, Tilde is the deserving choice as she tries to sweep the summer stakes for 2-year-old fillies bred or foaled in California. Last summer, Heleonor Rugby won both the CTBA and Generous Portion.

Bert’s Altarcation, by Bertrando, won her debut setting the pace. From the rail, she must use her speed. Her maiden win was validated when third-place Tribal Gal, by Tribal Rule, returned to win a maiden race with an 80 Beyer Speed Figure that tops the Generous Portion field. Tribal Gal will be ridden by Joe Talamo, who has won seven stakes this summer.

Other starters include O Happy Gray, Awesome Annie, Awe’ Some Kitten, Akiss Forarose, Boller Bomb and Awe Golly Molly.