TDN RISING STARS

October 25, 2023 - Keeneland, Race 5, Msw, USD $100,000, 7F

Tarifa, F, 2, 2021 by Bernardini

1st Dam: Kite Beach, by Awesome Again
2nd Dam: Tizdubai, by Cee's Tizzy
3rd Dam: Cee's Song, by Seattle Song

Owner: Godolphin LLC
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox

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.