Tamara set to return with La Brea prep

DEL MAR, Calif. – Tamara will use an allowance sprint Friday at Del May to prep for the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies traditionally run Dec. 26, opening day of Santa Anita winter. Tamara, runaway winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante in 2023 before finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and emerging with a splint injury, is scheduled for her first start in more than a year on Friday.

Richard Mandella trains Tamara, who is among six entered in the six-furlong allowance, race 7 on Friday. A 3-year-old produced by Hall of Fame race mare Beholder and sired by Bolt d’Oro, Tamara drew the inside post Friday under Mike Smith. Her rivals include Cliquish, Anywho, and Sandy Bottom.

A creditable comeback by Tamara would make her a candidate for the La Brea along with Grade 2 winner Sugar Fish, and Grade 3 winners Hope Road and Kinza. Kentucky-based Grade 1 winner Brightwork is also a potential La Brea starter.

Expectations are high for Tamara in her first start back. “She’s filled out, stronger than she was,” Mandella said. “If she’s anything like last year, she’ll run good.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.