The only GIII Azeri S. entry to not have tried stakes company, Tiny Temper (Arrogate) ran like a giant down the lane on Saturday afternoon in Hot Springs in the prep for next month's GI Apple Blossom S.
Breaking her maiden at second asking over the slop as a late juvenile at Churchill Downs, the bay was not seen until she ran fourth against allowance company at Ellis Park last summer. Taking a break until the beginning of this year, the older filly faced off-the-turf allowance foes at Fair Grounds Jan. 25 and won by a half-length with a Beyer figure of 92.
Stepping into much deeper waters as an 11-1 shot here, the 4-year-old spotted the field several lengths as favorite Hot and Sultry (Speightster) and Bellamore (Empire Maker) traded blows into the first turn. Looking like a little engine who could up the backstretch, Tiny Temper chased the pace around the far turn and hugged the rail into the lane.
Tiny Temper (far left) makes her run | Coady Photography
As the leaders looked like they were in slow motion, fellow longshot Misty Veil (Tonalist) highjacked the lead with a furlong left. However, it was James Graham's mount who tipped to the two path, ranged up to the outside of her target and got her picture taken with a gutsy performance.
“Don't be afraid to get in there,” said trainer Dallas Stewart. “She (Tiny Temper) showed up big today. We believed in her all along. It's just taken a while. Hopefully, we'll get back to the Apple Blossom. After she won (Jan. 25 entry-level allowance at Fair Grounds), I was like: 'We need to be serious about what we're doing with her quick.' Just get in some good races. This was on the (radar), for sure.”
Pedigree Notes:
Out of three racing crops, this was the 18th stakes winner and 12th graded stakes winner for deceased sire Arrogate. Out of SW Forestier (Forestry), the winner's dam is responsible for a 3-year-old colt by Gun Runner, who Repole Stable bought for $350,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale. Her last registered foal is currently a 2-year-old colt by McKinzie.
Saturday, Oaklawn Park
AZERI S.-GII, $400,000, Oaklawn, 3-9, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:45.58, gd.
1–TINY TEMPER, 117, f, 4, by Arrogate
1st Dam: Don't Blame Me (GSP), by Blame
2nd Dam: Forestier, by Forestry
3rd Dam: D'Youville Nurse, by Dr. Blum
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($240,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $310,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; $155,000 RNA Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Mark H. Stanley and Nancy W. Stanley; B-Alan S. Kline Revocable Trust (KY); T-Dallas Stewart; J-James Graham. $222,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $354,240. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Misty Veil, 121, m, 6, Tonalist–Genuine Class, by Birdstone. ($210,000 6yo '24 KEEJAN). O-Resolute Racing; B-William Humphries & Altair Farms LLC (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $74,000.
3–Bellamore, 121, m, 6, Empire Maker–Smart N Soft, by Smart Strike. ($170,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR; $675,000 RNA 5yo '23 FTKNOV). O-Kaleem Shah, Inc.; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $37,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 11.80, 16.60, 4.40.
Also Ran: Shotgun Hottie, Hot and Sultry, Soul of an Angel, Comparative, Saddle Up Jessie.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
What a finish in the G2 🏆 Azeri Stakes at @OaklawnRacing!
#7 TINY TEMPER ($25.60) comes from behind with @James_D_Graham in the irons for trainer @DallasStewart3 and owners Mark Stanley & Nancy Stanley. pic.twitter.com/cyDNpXCE1o
— TVG (@TVG) March 9, 2024
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
