TDN RISING STARS

December 21, 2013 - Aqueduct, Race 6, Msw, USD $70,000, 6f

Taris, f, 2, 2011 by Flatter

1st Dam: Comedy, by Theatrical (Ire)
2nd Dam: Don't Be Silly, by Lord At War (Arg)
3rd Dam: Oh Silly Me, by Quack

Owner: Commonwealth New Era Racing
Breeder: Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider (KY)
Trainer: Todd M Beattie

When trainer Todd Beattie deems one good enough to ship into New York from the Keystone State, it's a good idea to pay attention. Beattie, who is winning with 26% of his starters in 2013, is perhaps best known for having orchestrated the career of the outstanding sprinter Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike), who won 12 black-type events, seven of which came on this circuit, including the 2007 GI Vosburgh S. and 2008 Gravesend H., when it was contested as a Grade III. Along with his sister Holly Ross, her husband Brian and former Pennsylvania HBPA Executive Director Todd Mosstoller went to $90,000 to acquire this Claiborne Farm-consigned filly at last year's Keeneland September sale. "She had everything," Beattie commented. "She was good-sized--not overly big, but also not too small-- she had a great walk on her and an enormous heart scan." Sent into serious training in late August, Taris registered no fewer than seven workouts at Penn National that ranked as the best on the morning, but the New York faithful went head-over-heels for Worldly Charm (Malibu Moon), leaving Taris a dime shy of 4-1 on the tote. Away fairly beneath Clinton Potts, Taris fired through at the fence to take up the running from D' Kennesaw Cat (Wildcat Heir) before the field had reached the turn. While favored Worldly Charm (Malibu Moon) was forced to do it tough while three or four deep on the track, Taris readily turned back that one's bid in upper stretch and sailed home to score by a highly impressive 11 3/4 lengths. Hey Kiddo (Stonesider) rallied up the fence to complete a Pennsylvania-bred exacta. The winner's final time was just 0.38 seconds slower than that recorded by Extrasexyhippzster in the Don Rickles S. earlier on the card. "We were hoping she'd run like that, but you never know, especially when you bring something into New York," stated Beattie, who suggested that this trip is well short of the filly's optimum. "We are thinking long with her," he offered. "She obviously trained great at home and it has really been just a pleasant surprise to see how quick she has been. But we definitely think she'll stretch out and we're very excited about that." Two-turn races such as the Busanda S. and the Busher S. loom--both won last year by Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior)--but Beattie is taking a wait-and-see approach. "We're just going to unwind and let the dust settle before we make any decisions about what's next," he commented. In addition to Beattie and Mostoller, former Pennsylvania HBPA President Joe Santanna is a principle in Commonwealth New Era Racing. Beattie reports there are seven partners in Taris. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000.