Tatters to Riches passes two-turn test in Shared Belief

DEL MAR, Calif. – It’s been a long road back for Tatters to Riches, with his connections showing extreme patience, but now he’s got two races into him on the comeback trail, both wins, and his stretch-out victory on Saturday at Del Mar in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes is a good indication the best is yet to come from this exciting 3-year-old colt.

Tatters To Riches was coming back just 21 days following a victory earlier this meet in his first start in 11 months. Trainer Jeff Mullins ideally would have liked more time for a second start off such a long layoff, but was faced with the prospect of having to wait another month to Santa Anita to run him again if he didn’t go this week, and he had a horse who was touting himself he was ready for more.

Tatters to Riches ($4.40) was up to the task. He got an ideal, stalking trip under Tyler Baze, put away pacesetting Afleet Ascent in upper stretch, and bounded clear for a 3 3/4-length victory in 1:36.94 for one mile on the fast main track.

Afleet Ascent was second, another 3 3/4 lengths in front of third-place Shivermetimbers, then came, in order, Yulong Warrior and Cool Bobby.

“Phew, now I can relax,” Mullins said exiting the winner’s circle. “Ideally I’d have liked to have had four or five weeks, but that’s what good horses do.”

Tatters to Riches has been held in high regard since before he ever raced. He was purchased at auction for $1 million by Jed (father) and Tim (son) Cohen on the recommendation of noted bloodstock agent and workout analyst Gary Young at a 2-year-old in training sale last year.

Tatter to Riches won his debut last summer at Del Mar, then was a disappointing sixth in the Del Mar Futurity. Not long after that race, he was found to have a chip in a hind ankle, and he did not race again until exactly 11 months later.

He won his comeback race against a first-level allowance field, but Saturday marked the first time he raced around two turns.

“He’s a big, long-striding horse,” Mullins said. “We knew sprinting wasn’t his game. Two turns should be his thing. But we were excited about the race. I wish we would have had more time, but it worked out. It’s a feeling of accomplishment and relief.”

Tatters to Riches, a colt by Union Rags, has now won three times in four starts. He earned $60,000 on Saturday and now has career earnings of $133,545.