Anisette, Tamara make solid statements at Del Mar
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DEL MAR, Calif. - In a little more than a half-hour at Del Mar late Saturday afternoon, one filly showed why she belongs in Grade 1 races and another hinted that she may soon appear in such prestigious races.
Anisette won her first Grade 1 race in the $302,500 Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles, closing from last of 10 to record an authoritative victory by 2 3/4 lengths as the 4-5 favorite.
In the preceding race, the impeccably bred Tamara, whose dam was the four-time champion Beholder, won her debut in a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs despite stumbling at the start.
Anisette, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Leonard Powell, won her fourth consecutive start in the Del Mar Oaks. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Anisette closed from nearly eight lengths off the pace to take the lead in the final furlong.
Powell said on Sunday that Anisette is likely to remain in the 3-year-old division for the remainder of the year, with Grade 1 races such as the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 14, and the American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita in December as strong possibilities.
“The longer you stay with your age group, the better it is,” Powell said.
Anisette has won her last four starts, beginning with her final start in Britain in an allowance race on the synthetic track at Wolverhampton last December. Imported to the United States earlier this year, Anisette won her first start in the United States in an allowance race on turf at Santa Anita on May 29, showing a late rally that has become customary.
“She’s very tractable,” Powell said. “It’s a great asset that wherever she’s at in the races she relaxes and that helps her deliver a final kick.”
Anisette won her stakes debut in the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on July 22 by 2 1/2 lengths.
Anisette is drawing a fan base, at least among bettors. When Powell walked into the paddock with about 20 minutes to post for the Del Mar Oaks, he was surprised to see she was such a short-priced favorite.
“I was a bit nervous,” he said. “It was well-deserved after the fact. Every time, she rises to the challenge. She’s fulfilling expectations.”
Tamara, by Bolt d’Oro, broke from the rail and was fifth within two lengths of the lead on the backstretch. Ridden by Mike Smith, Tamara moved outside of pacesetter, and 8-5 favorite, Hope Road on the turn before taking the lead in the final furlong.
Tamara was timed in 1:17.37 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 80.
“She showed a lot of courage and fight,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “As bad as she stumbled, you could have expected a lesser effort.”
Mandella said Tamara will be considered for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, a $300,000 race for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Sept. 9.
“We won’t know that until a week or so when we get her back in training,” he said.
Tamara races for owner and breeder Spendthrift Farm. Earlier this month, a half-brother to Tamara, by Curlin, sold for $4 million to Amr Zedan at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.
Beholder, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2012, champion 3-year-old filly of 2013, and champion older mare of 2015 and 2016. She won 18 of 26 starts and earned $6,156,600 under Mandella’s direction.
Tamara is the fourth foal out of Beholder to race. Teena Ella, a 3-year-old filly by War Front, has been the most successful, winning 2 of 5 starts. Teena Ella won the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on May 6. Mandella said earlier this week that Teena Ella will resume racing at Santa Anita in the fall.
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