TDN RISING STARS

July 20, 2014 - Del Mar, Race 4, Msw, USD $75,000, 5f

Tara's Tango, f, 2, 2012 by Unbridled's Song

1st Dam: Scarlet Tango, by French Deputy
2nd Dam: Silver Tango, by Silver Badge
3rd Dam: Royal Tango, by Princely Pleasure

Owner: Stonestreet Stables LLC
Breeder: Stonestreet Stables LLC (KY)
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer

Stonestreet Stable's homebred Tara's Tango was backed down to odds-on early in the wagering, touched 7-5 on the drift and settled at 6-5 to open her account at first asking in a very strong-looking Del Mar maiden. Away alertly to press the pace, the half-sister to Visionaire (Grand Slam, GISW, $465,882) traveled in the two path and led narrowly turning for home, but soon had company in the form of Diva Express (Afleet Express), off at 3-1 from a 20-1 morning line. The latter was forced to travel about four deep on the bend and had every chance to get by the chalk in the lane, but Tara's Tango had something left and was pushed out hands-and-heels by Mike Smith to score by a comfortable 3 1/2 lengths, with a final furlong in a smart :12.09. The composite time of :57.40 established a new track record. Stonestreet acquired Scarlet Tango, carrying a full-sister to Visionaire, for $850,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November sale a little more than two months after that colt's victory in the GI King's Bishop S. The mare produced a filly by Malibu Moon in 2013 and foaled a Street Cry (Ire) colt this year. Jerry Hollendorfer also trained Tara's Tango's half-sister, the talented Scarlet Strike (Smart Strike, GSW & MGISP, $402,360).