Beholder filly, Tamara, ready for debut
It has been quite a month for the broodmare, and former champion, Beholder.
On Aug. 8, Beholder’s yearling by Curlin sold for $4 million to Amr Zedan at the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale in Saratoga, the most expensive hip of the prominent sale. The colt will be trained by Bob Baffert in 2024.
Attention will turn to the racetrack on Saturday when Beholder’s 2-year-old, the filly Tamara, has her career debut in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar.
Tamara was bred by Spendthrift Farm, who owns the Bolt d'Oro filly and consigned the Curlin yearling.
On Saturday, Tamara drew the rail and will be ridden by Mike Smith in a field of 10 in the day’s seventh race. The inside post did not impress trainer Richard Mandella.
“She’s trains pretty good,” Mandella said. “You always hate the one hole with a first-time starter. I think she’ll do well.”
Tamara has had a steady pattern of workouts in recent months, including five furlongs from the gate in 59.20 seconds Aug. 2.
Tamara’s rivals include Hope Road, who closed well in her debut to finish a game second in a maiden race at five furlongs July 22; and the first-time starters Flynn’s Chance, trained by Mandella, and Timely Arrival, trained by Michael McCarthy.
Flynn’s Chance, by Medaglia d’Oro, was purchased for $675,000 as a yearling and races for Spendthrift Farm. Umberto Rispoli has the mount.
“She’s worked pretty nice, too,” Mandella said. “She’s ready to go.”
Timely Arrival, by Violence, will be ridden by leading jockey Juan Hernandez. Timely Arrival worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds from the gate Aug. 13.
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. She is scheduled to resume racing at Santa Anita in the fall, Mandella said.
The other foals out of Beholder - Q B One, by Uncle Mo, was winless in four starts in 2021 and 2022; while Karin With an I, by Curlin, was winless in two starts in 2022.
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