The TAM Stakes – Grade III
TAM   Race #7   1 1/16m   Turf   Graded Stake
Purse $150.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Speedthriller, trained by Eastern Equine
This lightly raced four year old took a while to get it together eventualy breaking his maiden in August of last year. He only raced twice as a two year old and three times as a three year old so to say he has been sparsley managed is a big understatement. Whatever the reason for his light career he has certainly hit his straps both on the track and at home now and i expect a big run today despite very little form to go on. Bought at auction for $85.000 Eastern Equine they certianly spotted an untapped talent and he proved that in his first run for 5 months when he won his seasonal debut by an impressive length in a very fast time. I like the look of him today and with a top jockey booked i think he may take some beating.

2 Dreams Of Fire, trained by Nakamura Stables
In contrast to Speedthriller this six year old has had a long and fairly successful career with 9 wins from 30 races. A strong worker he runs consistent speed figures and won his seasonal debut very easily so is clearly in good form. Rain certainly improves his chances but he may find one or two too quick otherwise however, i expect another honest effort from the gelding.

3 Sinai Desert, trained by Blushing Meadows
Another four year old with a short career, he has run nine times for four wins. His third in The Jefferson Cup last season beaten under a length was a decent run and he franked that form in his last start as a three year old when taking a fairly competitive overnight at FG. His works have been strong and he ceratinly has chances and could be an emerging sort this year.

4 Short Tempered, trained by Oval Express Farms
Another from the evergreen generation that took off last year he is a seven year old now but is showing no signs of slowing down. He earned a 102 speed figure when he won the Tropical Turf Handicap and proved that much improved effort was no fluke on his seasonal debut in The Fort Lauderdale when running on strongly to dead heat for third. It is clear from that first run of the season that this veteran is one of the late developers and could still be improving and his works certainly suggest that. Ignore him at your peril.

5 Chapter In The Fog, trained by Maxmillion Farm
Bought for $170.000 at the start of the year his new trainer will be hoping for a bold show in this. He ran very nicely to be a close fourth in The Commonwealth Turf prior to his purchase and has been working very strongly since so it would be no surprise to see him right in this at the end.

6 Full Speed Ahead, trained by Night Rider Stables
One of the only horses in the field to be effective at grade one level he ended last year by taking out the ungraded Spider John after good efforts in both the Shoemaker Mile and The WO Mile. Like most of these there are plenty of reasons to expect a big run, but he may lack a recent race and could well be a few pounds off his best.

SUMMARY
I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be another HRP one length first to last stakes race but that would be the easiest thing to predict as the winner could come from any of the six stables. I am hoping the odds will be attractive around Speedthriller, but I think the way to go if having a  bet in this race is to just go for the biggest odds as they are all much of a muchness. Beyond that Short Tempered will have the benefit of a recent run and shouldnt be ignored as a win chance.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES