Tammy the Torpedo alters tactics to take Suwanee River

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Joel Rosario made an early decision that proved key to victory Saturday when Tammy the Torpedo led throughout in the 73rd running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Suwanee River over the Gulfstream Park turf.

Breaking from post 1 in a field of eight fillies and mares in the 1 1/8-mile race, Tammy the Torpedo was sent up the rail to the early lead by Rosario when none of the opposition appeared equally willing.

“It took a little time to get out of the gate, but she responded after that and took me all the way to the lead,” said Rosario. “After that she just kept on going.”

After several rivals crept within striking distance, Tammy the Torpedo suddenly opened daylight after turning for home and went on to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths over Rainha de Bateria. Habibi was just a head back in third, while Sweetie Girl and Light in Paris finished in a dead heat for fourth.

Tammy the Torpedo returned $5.80 as the favorite after finishing in 1:48.28 over a course rated firm. Chad Brown trains the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred by More Than Ready for the partnership of Long Lake Stable and Beacon Hill Thoroughbreds.

“I told Joel that if no one wanted to go to just go ahead and take the lead and if someone else was determined to have it just sit right behind them,” said Brown. “He used his judgment on the first turn and rolled out decent fractions and the filly showed a lot of heart to kick on and run home.”

Aside from being the first time she had ever led early, the Suwanee River marked the first win for Tammy the Torpedo in a graded event and her fourth from seven overall starts. She was coming off a rallying triumph in the ungraded Tropical Park Oaks in December.

The $2 exacta (1-4) paid $29.40 and the $1 trifecta (1-4-6) returned $74.10.

The stakes win was the fourth in an eight-day period for Rosario, who last Saturday rode two stakes winners at Gulfstream and one at Sam Houston.