Pure Precision wins Tyro Stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. - John Tammaro III lost Blue Burner from his barn last week. He gained Pure Precision, who debuted for Tammaro III with a 3/4-length victory in the $50,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Sunday.

Pure Precision had been stabled down in Calder with Emanuel Tortora for George Steinbrenner's Kinsman Stable, but Steinbrenner sent him up to Tammaro's barn a few weeks ago. After arriving at Monmouth, Pure Preicison fired a bullet four-furlong workout in 46.60. He was obviously ready for the Tyro.

"I'm really excited about this colt," Tammaro said. "I think he could have been on the lead if we wanted him to. They [Outstander and Storm Passage] went out there pretty good and we picked them up in the lane."

Pure Precision broke in mid-pack, while Oustander and Storm Passage carved out fractions of 22.03, 45.44 and 58,45 on the lead. Under Jose Velez Jr., he was the first to take aim at the frontrunners, and after ducking in, he straightened out and charged three-wide by the leaders. Outstander fought back gamely on the rail, while Storm Passage dropped out. Doc Wild, trained by John Kimmel, was flying late on the outside, but could not catch the winner. Pure Precision covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.12 before a crowd of 14,559. Doc Wild was 3/4 lengths back in second, a neck ahead of Outstander. Pure Precision paid $6.00 as the 2-1 favorite and capped a $41.80 exacta.

Pure Precision now has two wins and a second in his career. In his two starts at Calder, he broke his maiden by almost 11 lengths and finished second in the $100,000 Criterium Stakes. According to Tammaro, the Grade 3 Sapling, the premier race for 2-year-old colts here August 18, could be next for the son of Montbrook.