Taris gets to play best game in Humana Distaff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Taris ran respectably in a pair of graded stakes going long this winter in Southern California, but on Saturday, she returns to what she does best – race around one turn – in the Grade 1, $300,000 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs.

Taris will face nine rivals, including Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue, in a solid renewal of the Humana Distaff at seven furlongs.

Taris is 6 for 9 in one-turn races, with a trio of graded stakes wins, including the Grade 3 Go for Wand last November at Aqueduct. Since then, Taris stretched out to 1 1/16 miles to win the Grade 2 La Canada in January and then got beat a length by Tara’s Tango in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita at 1 1/8 miles, with both races at Santa Anita.

“She’s obviously a very versatile filly – she’s proven that,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “I think it’s fair to say she’s better at shorter distances – seven-eighths to a mile – and who knows, seven-eighths could be her optimum distance. I’m really happy with the way she’s training. She’s coming into this race as good as she’s ever been. I’m really looking forward to the race.”

Callaghan has replaced Gary Stevens with Flavien Prat aboard Taris.

Taris finished third to Wavell Avenue in the Filly and Mare Sprint. While Taris encountered some traffic on the inside in the stretch, Wavell Avenue had clear sailing, rallying down the center of the track under Joel Rosario.

In her lone start since, Wavell Avenue finished third behind Sheer Drama and Stopchargingmaria in a wildly competitive renewal of the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland last month.

“I wasn’t looking to run her in a Grade 1 right off the bat,” said Chad Brown, the trainer of Wavell Avenue. “The race came up a lot tougher than we anticipated. I think everybody would say that. She got a lot out of that race. She’s had two works since here at Churchill, and they’ve been fantastic.”

Rosario is back aboard from post 10.

There appears to be ample speed to set things up for Wavell Avenue, with Stonetastic, Super Saks, and Enchanting Lady likely to duke it out early.

A hot pace would also aid Birdatthewire, the winner of the Grade 1 La Brea last December at Santa Anita.

KEY CONTENDERS

Taris, by Flatter

Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-93

◗ Four-time graded stakes winner earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 110 going seven-eighths in winning the Grade 2 Raven Run in 2014.

◗ Had traffic trouble when beaten two lengths by Wavell Avenue in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint.

Wavell Avenue, by Harlington

Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-101

◗ In her first start off a 161-day layoff, she finished third, beaten two lengths, by Grade 1 winner Sheer Drama in the Madison.

◗ Brown is 4 for 19 over the last three years in graded stakes with horses making their second start off a layoff.

Birdatthewire, by Summer Bird

Last 3 Beyers: 94-88-84

◗ Has won two graded stakes at seven furlongs, the Grade 1 La Brea at 10-1 and the Grade 2 Forward Gal at 12-1.

◗ Finished a length behind Wavell Avenue when fourth in the Madison, her first start off a two-month layoff.

◗ Reunited with Mike Smith, aboard for the La Brea victory.