For all intents and purposes, Saturday’s running of the $75,000 She’s A Tiger stakes races was over seconds after the gate opened.
In those few seconds at the beginning of the 1-1/16-mile race, heavy favorite Anthonys Cleopatra, who was the last to get at least temporarily get settled in the starting gate, jumped at the opening of the gate, and the horse that figured to be the speed of the speed, didn’t get out well.
That left the door open for Tam’s Little Angel, an 8-to-1 shot, who took control from the start and went wire-to-wire to get the win for trainer Steve Specht and jockey Catalino Martinez.
Buyback was a late running second, and Day Plan was third. In a race that figured to have several horses fight for the early lead with their front end speed, it was Tam’s Little Angel that said come and catch me, and no one did.
“I came with the plan to take her hard and see what happens,” said Martinez, known for his aggressive rides on horses with speed. “I was surprised that no one went with me.”
There were other horses close behind but none that threatened the lead.
What was left were pedestrian splits of 24.44 and 48.62, more of an optional claiming pace, not a stakes race. The final time of 1:44.91 was over four seconds – an eternity in horse racing – off the track record.
Buyback was charging down the middle of the track, but it was too little, too late.
It was the fourth win in 10 career starts for Tam’s Little Angel and with the $45,000 for first place, her career earnings are now over $150,000.
Tam’s Little Angel paid $18.60 to win, $6.80 to place, and $3.80 to show. The $1 exacta returned $21.50, with the $1 Trifecta paying out $251.90.
By Dennis Miller