Tara’s Tango earns shot at $1 million Cotillion

DEL MAR, Calif. – A victory by Tara’s Tango in an optional claimer at Del Mar on Wednesday will lead to a seven-figure stakes race in Pennsylvania next month.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Thursday that Tara’s Tango is likely to make her next start in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles at Parx Racing on Sept. 19.

“We’re going to look at the Cotillion,” Hollendorfer said. “It’s a big purse, and we think she’s deserves to try something like that.”

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Ridden by Mike Smith for Stonestreet Stables, Tara’s Tango ($2.80) won the optional claimer at a mile by 1 3/4 lengths over 15-1 Yana in 1:37.53. Tara’s Tango closed from fourth of eight to take the lead in the final furlong.

“Mike thought she got a lot out of that,” Hollendorfer said.

The optional claimer was Tara’s Tango’s second win in five starts. She was second in three consecutive stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year – the Santa Paula Stakes and Angels Flight Stakes for sprinters and the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on June 20.

Hollendorfer is developing a strong team of 3-year-old fillies. He said Super Majesty, a 3-year-old filly unbeaten in two starts, is likely to make her stakes debut in the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile Aug. 30.

Super Majesty won her debut against maidens by 6 1/4 lengths at six furlongs at Santa Anita on May 24 and an optional claimer at six furlongs by 15 1/4 lengths at Los Alamitos on July 5.

There are no race plans for Kentuckian, who won the Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes at Santa Anita in May and was third in the $350,000 Los Alamitos Derby on July 4. Hollendorfer said Kentuckian is out of training with “little tiny things.” Hollendorfer said it was unclear how long the colt will be sidelined.