Tara's Tango will focus on routes on road to Breeders' Cup Distaff

Tara’s Tango is likely to run in major stakes around two turns this fall despite winning the $100,345 Rancho Bernardo Handicap for sprinters at Del Mar on Wednesday.

On Thursday, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 4 is a goal he would like to pursue with Tara’s Tango as opposed to sprints.

“We’ll probably plan for two turns,” he said. “It’s encouraging that a filly we feel is a good route horse can run 6 1/2 [furlongs] and win against a good field.”

Hollendorfer cautioned that race plans were contingent upon conversations with owner Barbara Banke, who races as Stonestreet Stables.

Tara’s Tango ($10.60) closed from off the pace to win the Rancho Bernardo by a half-length over Enchanting Lady. She ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.60.

A filly by Unbridled’s Song, Tara’s Tango has won 5 of 12 starts and earned $738,004.

Tara’s Tango won the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at 1 1/16 miles and the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational at 1 1/8 miles in February and March at Santa Anita. Tara’s Tango was third in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April before she was given a break through the rest of the spring.