The TAM Stakes – Grade III
1 1/16 Mile Turf Stake Purse $175.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Details Matter Alydar Stables Morales P

I had a smile on my face as this four-year-old made all and held on by a diminishing head, for two reasons really. Firstly, and allow me this small piece of indulgence….I called it, and secondly and most importantly, the race engine is as easily gamed with the right instruction as it ever was. Now of course the closing, stalking and leading in his last three starts could have all been on horse lead but if it was there is something very wrong. So, let’s say until we are proven otherwise that this was a tactically brilliant decision by one of the best trainers in the game. Using the wide gate speed push perfectly the four-year-old got to the front and though he never really set up a clear lead he put in his work, and it paid off in the end. This was a good tough win and not an unexpected one after a good season last year, but this race was always going to be hard to win and, in the end, it was tactics and small margins that won the day.

2nd Kylo Ren Luz International Cedeno C

It was nice to see a couple of four-year-olds fight on the finish because there have been a few poor efforts by the age group this year, and I was beginning to wonder if we were looking at another lost generation. Running a very similar race to his last start win in the Tropical Park Derby he closed off well but just couldn’t get past the game winner.

3rd King Luka Night Rider Stables Camacho Sa

Another good effort by this horse but he just needs to find a length in this grade to break through. It was a difficult race for the closers as the leader dictated and there was always going to be traffic problems but in the end third was a good result for the six-year-old.

4th State Cavier Smokey Stover Evans C

This horse is a bit of an enigma as he continues to race well but never seems to live up to his potential.

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