Smith Says Tara's Tango Can Go the Distance
Tara’s Tango stretches out in Saturday’s Grade II Summertime Oaks. Mike Smith is looking forward to it.
The Hall of Fame jockey has ridden the gray daughter of Unbridled’s Song in each of her previous three races, none beyond seven furlongs, including the Angel’s Flight on May 16 in which she was second in a field of five.
“This is what she’s been wanting,” Smith said of the added distance. “I really like this filly. I think a lot of her. Down the road she’s going to a really, really nice one.”
Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Tara’s Tango won her first race last July 20 by 3 ½ lengths, going five furlongs at Del Mar in 57.40.
The field for the Oaks, race eight of nine: All Star Bub, Rafael Bejarano, 20-1; Sheer Pleasure, Tyler Baze, 4-1; Danette, Fernando Perez, 15-1; Guild, Flavien Prat, 30-1; Roksana, Felipe Valdez, 12-1; Tara’s Tango, Mike Smith, 4-1; Conquest Curlgirl, Joe Talamo, 12-1; Scat Means Go, Gary Stevens, 8-1; Stellar Wind and Victor Espinoza, 5-2.
Fantastic Style was scratched, and trainer Keith Desormeaux said Friday morning that the maiden Danette also would be scratched.
SADLER HOPES TO KEEP ROLLING IN SATURDAY STAKES
John Sadler, who won three races at Santa Anita Thursday, hopes to continue his hot streak when he sends out Zinvor in the $75,000 Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf and Santa Anita Oaks winner Stellar Wind in the Grade II Summertime Oaks at a mile and one-sixteenth.
Both horses will be ridden by Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza, who was aboard two of Sadler’s winners Thursday. Zinvor is two-for-two at a mile on grass, one win coming at Del Mar, the other at Santa Anita two races back before he finished fifth after leading in the 1 1/8-mile Snow Chief on turf May 23.
“He was just a little too close in the Snow Chief,” Sadler said.
“He can run further. He was too close to the pace last time.”
Sadler said Stellar Wind is “sharp, doing real good” for the Oaks.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
The field for the Singletary: Seve’s Road, Rafael Bejarano, 8-1; All Indians, Mike Smith, 8-1; Harmonic, Alex Solis, 8-1; Hero Ten All, Tyler Baze, 6-1; Zinvor, Victor Espinoza, 6-1; Soul Driver, Gary Stevens, 5-1; Cardiac, Fernando Perez, 12-1; Madiba, Martin Garcia, 12-1; Spin Forty, Edwin Maldonado, 20-1; Ride Hard Kowboy, Drayden Van Dyke, 12-1; Where’s the Moon, Brice Blanc, 15-1; and Royal Albert Hall, Flavien Prat, 4-1.
Anytime Anyplace was scratched.
FINISH LINES: Om, who handed American Pharoah his lone defeat, is scheduled to return to turf in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes at a mile on grass opening day at Del Mar, July 16. “Om will be my first horse ever in the Hall of Fame,” trainer Dan Hendricks quipped. “On American Pharoah’s past performances, it will show Om beating him in his first race.” Om finished third in the Grade III Affirmed Stakes on dirt June 7 . . . Keith Desormeaux has “one more big work this weekend” for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red as the 3-year-old son of Afleet Alex prepares for the $500,000 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on July 4. The Grade III test will be decided at a one-turn mile. “He’ll have one more big work this weekend and we’ll come back with a final little prep work the following weekend and we’re ready to roll,” Desormeaux said . . . Professional gambler Alan “Dink” Denkenson will be Tom Quigley’s handicapping guestSaturday, while Craig Stephen, agent for jockey Santiago Gonzalez, will do honors Sunday, each day at 11:20 a.m. in the East Paddock Gardens . . . Horsemen are invited to join an open Thoroughbred Owners of California forum and have questions answered by its directors nextSaturday, June 27, 10:30 a.m. at the Pleasanton Satellite Wagering Facility. For further information visit info@toconline.com.
Source: Santa Anita Park