Sparkling debut vaults Tijori into stakes company

ARCADIA, Calif. – Tijori is being pointed to a stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park following a striking win in her debut last Friday at Santa Anita, although a trip to Royal Ascot is still a possibility.

Trainer Simon Callaghan said he is leaning toward starting Tijori in the $150,000 Astoria Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park on June 7 instead of the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Royal Ascot on June 20. The Queen Mary Stakes has a purse of approximately $148,500.

“Our plan at the moment is to work toward the Astoria,” Callaghan said. “We’ll leave Royal Ascot open, but more than likely it will be the Astoria.”

Tijori will be shipped to Keeneland, where she will have a workout on turf, Callaghan said. That workout will be a factor in the decision Callaghan makes with owner Kaleem Shah regarding which race to target.

Tijori, by Will Take Charge, won a maiden race at 4 1/2 furlongs against males by 3 1/4 lengths, leading throughout. Tijori was purchased for $525,000 at the March Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training. Tijori was the first winner for Will Take Charge, the champion 3-year-old male of 2013 who stands at stud in Kentucky.

Shah and Callaghan have another Royal Ascot contender in Run Away, a winner of three sprint stakes for 2-year-olds last year. Run Away is scheduled to start at Pimlico in Saturday’s $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs. At Royal Ascot, Run Away could run in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, a $675,000 race for 3-year-olds at six furlongs on turf June 22.

Run Away has not raced since finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar last November.