The TAM Stakes – Grade III
TAM Race #5 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $175.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.
1 Dragon Nakamura Stables Worrie A S 122
Competed at a good level as a three-year-old and even got a run in the KYD although he was largely disappointing in 18th. He picked himself up and dusted himself off pretty well after that poor effort and when he switched to turf began to fulfil the promise he had shown on the dirt. A good second in the Station at grade three he has won two ungraded stakes so is very much on the cusp of winning at graded level. He won the Woodchopper at the end of the year from this draw so will be looking to repeat the dose in his first outing as a four-year-old.
2 Sunflowers TwinTowersRacing Camacho Sa 122
This one competed in just about all the top turf races for three-year-olds and with good efforts in the PEN Mile and the SAR Derby ran a cracker in the Nashville Derby coming strong and late to just fail by a half-length in that prestigious race. There is always a question as to how they will train on and a last place finish in an optional claimer on the 1st January doesn’t bode well but if that race has tuned him up he may be ready to do some damage today.
3 Deputy Dog D J C Racing Stables Ferrer J C 122
The five-year-old has run the odd, good race but doesn’t win too often and that is a concern. His works have always been up to this level and if he just had one of “those” four-year-old seasons, maybe he is ready to make a fresh start.
4 Grand Opening Riggins Racing Morales P 122
A multiple grade one winner and a close fifth in the BC Turf he will be hot favourite in a field where he looks by far the best on paper. I guess the only question will be his age but with the older horses generally dominating at this time of the season it could well be more of a plus than a minus.
5 Leary Santan Stables Martinez W 122
Consistent in state bred races and a good worker there is no reason he won’t be part of the race but I think there are a few too good for him here.
6 Caste Arindel Santos A 122
Claimed for $14.000 and then won a competitive allowance at AQU so was clearly better than the claimers he had been running in. A recent 1:34 and 1 mile work suggests the trainer has picked up a bargain and though his form isn’t exactly graded stakes quality you cannot ignore that work.
7 Jerk Pork TwinTowersRacing Marquez Ch 122
Another very good worker who hasn’t got the form figures to match he won his most recent race nicely so may be in for some late movement up his improvement curve. He may be back a bit but look for him late.
8 Tom Kha Gai High Voltage Feliciano R 122
A graded stakes winner and placed at grade one his recent turf work is slower than the two inside him whose form is all in overnights. So, take your pick here. Is that work a sign that he has already peaked whilst others are improving or are works insignificant. On form he is second best.
9 Green Flag Spankys Barn Quinonez A 122
A solid miler type he has won at grade three and was a contender in the BC Mile last year. On form I would put him third best, on works top four but I am not sure he has the tools to win from this wide gate.
SUMMARY
For me there is a clear one two three on form here with Grand Opening beating Tom Kha Gai and Green Flag but there are a few here in Caste and Jerk Pork that have some works that are spelling magic dust to all who can see them. Take your pick, works or form.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES