Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint: Back the former Queen-elect to seize the crown

In the late autumn of 2023, there was just one 2-year-old dirt filly whose name was on the lips of every journalist and bettor as the cream of US dirt horses descended upon Santa Anita for that year's Breeder Cup extravaganza.

Tamara.

She had won on her Del Mar debut easily in August, dispatching a top "hope" from the powerful Baffert stable in the form of Hope Road, who went off favourite for that race. She then returned to Del Mar the following month for the Grade 1 Debutante Stakes against 11 rivals, but they were rivals in name only: "Broke well, went right and bumped rival, tracked leader on outer, led over 2 1/2f out, eased 4 lengths clear entering final 2f, drew further clear under own steam, very easily".

This was quite clearly the Queen-in-waiting, and the world fully expected her to seize the crown of champion juvenile filly at the Breeders Cup in early November.

But it all went wrong at Santa Anita. Facing another 11 rivals and sent off as 4/5 favourite, she failed to get it done and rather spectacularly too: "Led, ridden and headed under 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong." Cue a stunned crowd with many a burnt finger.

Turns out she was injured, so not her fault. Splint bone damage, which took a long time to heal. Heal it duly did, but on her return to the racetrack in November 2024 (after a break of 378 days) she was turned over at 2/5 in her comeback race at allowance level. Some horses never come back from a bad injury, and it looked like one of those cases.

The string of bad luck wasn't over. Tamara spiked a fever before her next intended start in the G1 La Brea Stakes in December 2024 and had to be pulled from that contest. And by way of cutting off her own nose to spite an already scarred face, she then lashed out an an unforgiving wall after training in January earlier this year, sustaining bone damage which required interventional surgery.

Impressively, connections kept the faith with this arch-enemy of black cats, mirrors and ladders, keeping her in training even though another long layoff was required. And somehow, improbably, The AntePoster likes her to win the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in 24 days' time. Have we lost our minds?

Possibly. But she returned after said layoff in July, and trained well and consistently for the next three months, before winning the G3 Chillingworth Stakes at Keeneland in remarkably impressive fashion this weekend just past. She clocked a fast time yet barely broke sweat in what amounted to little more than a well-paid workout.

It was the Tamara of old, and there looks to be plenty more under this bonnet.

More importantly, trainer Richard Mandella reports his filly to have come out of the race well, so it's all systems go for the Breeders Cup. Tellingly, Mandella told reporters on Sunday that he didn't know which of his two candidates for the Filly & Mare Sprint was better.

In some stables that might not be considered a glowing compliment, but in this case it might be wise to take note: the "other" filly is none other than Kopion, currently a best-price 11/4 favourite for the same Breeders Cup race.

Paddy Power and Skybet have cut Tamara from 16/1 to 12/1 for the Breeders Cup since the Chillingworth, but that's still four points longer than any other boomaker. Expect her to start at half her current price or less.

Either way, with confirmation that Tamara has exited the Chillingworth in good condition we're keen to back this filly to seize the crown that she never got to place on her head all those moons ago. Particularly at her current price.

Given Tamara's back story and extended absences, this is an each-way only for the very brave or very foolhardy. With all those relentless black cats, broken mirrors, and abused ladders, we'll take her win only.

Recommendation: Back Tamara (win only) at 12/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook or Skybet to win the Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Saturday 1 November.