Tammy's Luck getting the hang of it

DEL MAR, Calif. - By the time Tammy's Luck figured out the concept of racing, her career debut at Hollywood Park in June was essentially over.

"She blew by them in the gallop-out," trainer Richard Matlow said. "Of course, it was too late."

The lessons learned that day worked in Tammy's Luck's second start, a win in a maiden race at Del Mar on July 25. Matlow is hoping Tammy's Luck can show even further improvement when she makes her stakes debut in Wednesday's $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for statebred 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs at Del Mar.

Owned by Dimitri Racing, Tammy's Luck starts from the outside in the field of nine, which is led by division leader Streamin Heat. Tammy's Luck is one of four fillies in the race making her stakes debut.

Matlow envisions Tammy's Luck racing from just off the pace, the style she used in her win.

"She's one of those tryers," he said. "She's not a big filly.

"I think she kind of got schooled in her first race. She got some dirt in her face. She's been more professional after her last race."

Streamin Heat will be a deserving favorite in the Generous Portion. Trained by breeder Wesley Ward for Richard Ravin, Streamin Heat has won 2 of 3 starts and $118,758. After finishing third in her debut on May 15, Streamin Heat returned to win a five-furlong maiden race for statebred fillies on June 5.

In the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs here on July 18, Streamin Heat led from the start and held off a late run from Saucey Evening to win by a half-length.

"I think she'll be tough if someone doesn't go after her," Matlow said of Streamin Heat.

Streamin Heat may need to conserve some of her speed in the Generous Portion. She led by two lengths at the eighth pole of the CTBA Stakes, leaving the question of whether a fast pace could cost her through the stretch.

Four other fillies from the CTBA Stakes return in the Generous Portion, including third- and fourth-place finishers Laird's Lassie and Ten Churros.

Laird's Lassie ran an outstanding race that day, considering she was making her debut. Trained by Mel Stute, she was fifth early and got within 1 1/2 lengths of Streamin Heat at the finish.

Ten Churros was the 5-2 favorite in that race. She was second early but faded late. Trained by Bob Baffert, Ten Churros will be fitted with blinkers for the Generous Portion Stakes.