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Sam's Sister upsets La Brea in stakes debut
A debut winner at Del Mar in late July, Sam's Sister followed with a 3 1/2-length score over entry-level allowance rivals on the Polytrack a month later. The Kentucky-bred improved to three for three with a second level allowance tally at Santa Anita on October 13, winning at Friday's seven-furlong distance, and sustained her lone setback when trying turf on November 21, trailing in an eight-horse field at Del Mar. She paid $27 to win after stopping the teletimer in 1:22 2/5 in the La Brea. Owned by Mark Dedomenico LLC, George Todaro and Hollendorfer, Sam's Sister has now earned $307,450. "When we got here to Santa Anita and reviewed the stakes schedule, we pretty much thought that we wanted to point her for the La Brea if she was going good," Hollendorfer said of the return to dirt. "We had confidence in her from her first couple of victories. We've always liked her." Taris, who earned a whopping 115 BRIS Speed rating when capturing the October 18 Raven Run at Keeneland in her last outing, was favored at 3-5 in her first start for new connections, selling for $2.35 million at the recent Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale. The Simon Callaghan-trained filly sold rushed forward to set the pace after breaking a step slowly, established pressured splits in :21 4/5 and :43 4/5 before shaking loose in upper stretch. Sam's Sister settled into midpack among nine three-year-old fillies during the early stages and advanced past horses on the far turn. She rallied four wide into the stretch to grab second but still needed to make up 3 1/2 lengths with only a furlong remaining. Taris obliged, shorting strides as the early exploits suddenly exacted a severe toll, and Sam's Sister drove to a half-length decision in the shadow of the wire. "I had a perfect trip," Trujillo said. "I saw a lot of speed in the race when I looked at it and three or four horses went to the lead. I sat covered up and in the stretch, I was in the clear. "The last sixteenth I could see Rafael (Bejarano on Taris) working and I could see her tail flapping so I knew I had it. I came flying and I caught them right away. She's a very nice horse. I have to thank Mr. Hollendorfer for giving me the opportunity to ride such a nice horse." "I just told him (Trujillo) I thought the three path was really good today and that he had an ideal post and he should try to be there, but I think he went inside and then went outside," the trainer added. "He did a good job and the end result was good so I'm very pleased." Taris held second by 1 3/4 lengths from the late-running Thank You Marylou in third. Bred by Brereton C. Jones, Sam's Sister sold for $125,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale. She's out of the Include mare Kittery Point, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Tiffany Diamond. This is also the immediate female family of Grade 1-winning fillies Check the Label, Include Me Out and Sweet Talker. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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