Del Mar Oaks winner Tam Tam headed to Queen Elizabeth II next
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The filly Tam Tam has risen through the 3-year-old filly turf division this year with three stakes wins, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last Saturday.
In the $302,500 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles, Tam Tam was always near the front and pulled clear under jockey Junior Alvarado to win by 1 1/4 lengths as the 5-2 second choice of 10.
The win last left trainer Phil Bauer eager to try Tam Tam in a more lucrative Grade 1 turf race for 3-year-old fillies – the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 10.
“I think that race is the next step,” Bauer said after the Del Mar Oaks.
Owned by Richard Rigney, Tam Tam has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $648,800, with all the wins occurring this year. She won the $258,500 Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf by 5 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs on June 27, which at the time was her richest win.
“This year has been pretty special with her,” Bauer said. “I’m elated she’s a Grade 1 winner. It’s special. There is nothing like the top.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is likely to be the next race for Kensington Lane, who finished third by 2 1/2 lengths as the 8-5 favorite in the Del Mar Oaks.
The winner of the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at Saratoga on July 4, Kensington Lane set the pace in the Del Mar Oaks, but was passed in the final furlong. The Del Mar Oaks was Kensington Lane’s first start for trainer Phil D’Amato.
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