By Alan Carasso
Godolphin homebred Tarifa (f, 2, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again), possessed of a pedigree that says longer and maybe a bit later, defied both of those premises to graduate over an extended seven-furlong trip Wednesday at Keeneland, winning off by open lengths to become the newest 'TDN Rising Star' and 21st overall for her sadly departed sire.
Backed like a good thing to be off at odds of 14-5 (2.83-1) from a 6-1 morning line, the dark bay was a forward factor just in behind the early pacesetters and jockey Florent Geroux had his work cut out for him to prevent his filly from running up on heels. Given her head with about 3 1/2 furlongs to race, Tarifa continued to travel ominously well on the turn and weaved her way through a bit of traffic to be right there when the real running began at the top of the lane. She put favored Snow Dance (Commissioner) to the sword at the three-sixteenths pole and opened up at will from there to take it by a half-dozen very convincing lengths.
Godophin acquired Tarifa's second dam Tizdubai (Cee's Tizzy) for $950,000 at the Keeneland November about two months after her full-brother Tiznow recorded the second of his two consecutive victories in the 2001 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. She was also a full-sister to MGSW and Classic runner-up Budroyale.
Kite Beach, whose half-sister Fancy Day (Ire) (Shamardal) produced MGSW Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), was purchased by M T Stable at KEENOV in 2021 and to Calumet Farm for $115,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February sale. The mare produced a full-sister to Tarifa who sold to Matthew Davis for $105,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale and foaled a colt by Knicks Go this season. The latter's sire Paynter is by Awesome Again and out of Tizso, another full-sister to Tiznow. Kite Beach was bred to Lexitonian this year.
5th-Keeneland, $99,587, Msw, 10-25, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:28.51, ft, 6 lengths.
TARIFA, f, 2, by by Bernardini
1st Dam: Kite Beach, by Awesome Again
2nd Dam: Tizdubai, by Cee's Tizzy
3rd Dam: Cee's Song, by Seattle Song
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $56,575. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Godolphin LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H Cox.
(3) Tarifa is much the best in the fifth race of the day. (8) Regulatory Risk takes second and (7) Snow Dance comes in third. pic.twitter.com/qJLZo2MjHn
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 25, 2023
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