Tamara, the sleek brown filly who captured the hearts of race fans at Del Mar in the summer of 2023, is poised to make her long-awaited return to the racetrack. After a setback in the Breeders' Cup that year, the daughter of the legendary Beholder has been carefully brought back by her trainer, Richard Mandella, and is set to grace the Del Mar stage once again.

A Prodigy's Promise Reignited

Tamara's Rise to Stardom

Tamara burst onto the scene in 2023, winning her maiden race at Del Mar with a solid performance, followed by an equally impressive 6 ¾-length victory in the prestigious G1 Del Mar Debutante. Fans and pundits alike were captivated by the filly, drawing comparisons to her illustrious mother, Beholder, a Hall of Fame inductee and champion in her own right.Trainer Richard Mandella, who had the privilege of training Beholder, saw something special in Tamara from the start. Eager to showcase her talent, he entered her in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. However, the race took an unexpected turn, as Tamara faded to a seventh-place finish after setting the pace. A subsequent examination revealed a fractured splint bone in her left leg, sidelining the promising filly.

Patience and Perseverance: Tamara's Road to Recovery

Mandella and his team have taken a measured approach to Tamara's rehabilitation, allowing her the time and care necessary to fully heal. After a period of rest and light training, the filly has shown promising signs in recent weeks, with Mandella noting that she has regained her "old style" and "same ability."The trainer had initially hoped to run Tamara in an allowance race at Del Mar, but when that opportunity failed to materialize, he opted for another work, which resulted in a bullet time of 1:01.20. Mandella is now on the lookout for another race at the seaside oval, confident that he has ample opportunities to showcase Tamara's talents before the meet concludes on December 1.

Anticipation Builds for Tamara's Comeback

As the racing world eagerly awaits Tamara's return, the filly's story has captivated fans once again. Her connection to the legendary Beholder has only heightened the anticipation, with many hoping to witness the second coming of a true champion. Mandella's careful handling of Tamara's recovery has only added to the intrigue, as race enthusiasts eagerly await the moment when the filly will once again grace the racetrack and reclaim her rightful place in the spotlight.

A Trainer's Unwavering Belief

Mandella's belief in Tamara has never wavered, even in the face of her setback. The veteran trainer, who has guided numerous champions to victory, sees the same potential in the filly that he recognized in her mother, Beholder. With Tamara's return to the races imminent, Mandella's confidence in her abilities is palpable, and he is poised to unleash her once again, captivating the racing world and fulfilling the promise that first captured the hearts of fans.

A Filly's Triumphant Comeback

As Tamara prepares to make her long-awaited return to the races, the anticipation among race fans is palpable. The filly's journey has been one of resilience and determination, and her comeback promises to be a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring spirit of a true champion. With Mandella's unwavering guidance and the support of the racing community, Tamara's return to the spotlight is sure to be a moment of pure exhilaration, as she once again captivates the hearts of those who have followed her remarkable story.

Trainer Phil D'Amato's Dominance at Del Mar

Trainer Phil D'Amato has established himself as a force to be reckoned with at Del Mar, having won or shared the trainers' title at the seaside oval seven times. In recent years, he has been particularly dominant, taking home or sharing the championship five out of the last seven meets, including the last three Bing Crosby Seasons.D'Amato's success at Del Mar is a testament to his skill and the depth of his stable. This year, he has opted for a slightly different approach, keeping a smaller string of 12 horses at the track and shipping in his other runners just days before their races. This strategic move, coupled with the addition of the synthetic track at Santa Anita, has allowed D'Amato to streamline his operations and focus on his top contenders.

Turf Festival Dominance

One of the highlights of D'Amato's Del Mar campaign is his performance during the Turf Festival, a series of seven graded stakes races held over the last two weekends of the meet. The trainer has been a consistent presence in these prestigious events, winning the Hollywood Turf Cup in 2021 and 2022, the Seabiscuit Stakes five times, and the Jimmy Durante Stakes in 2023. He's also won both runnings of the newly introduced Stormy Liberal Stakes.D'Amato's success on the turf can be attributed to his keen eye for talent and his ability to bring out the best in his grass specialists. Horses like Almendares, Divin Propos, and Hong Kong Harry have been instrumental in his Turf Festival triumphs, showcasing the depth and versatility of his stable.

A Well-Oiled Machine

D'Amato's operation at Del Mar is a well-oiled machine, with a dedicated team of grooms, hot walkers, and assistants like Rudy Cruz and Julie Witt contributing to the overall success. The trainer's wife, Sherri, and stepdaughter, Jessica Pyfer, also play an active role in the morning workouts, further enhancing the family-like atmosphere of the stable.This collaborative approach has allowed D'Amato to maintain his dominance at Del Mar, consistently delivering top-tier performances and positioning himself as the go-to trainer for owners of Irish-bred horses seeking to compete in the United States. As the Bing Crosby Season unfolds, all eyes will be on D'Amato's stable, as he looks to continue his reign as the king of Del Mar.

Juvenile Showdown: The Desi Arnaz and Bob Hope Stakes

As the Del Mar meet progresses, the spotlight turns to the 2-year-olds, with two highly anticipated stakes races scheduled for the upcoming weekend. The $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes on Saturday will feature a field of juvenile fillies going 7 furlongs on the dirt, while the G3 Bob Hope Stakes on Sunday will see the boys compete at the same distance on the main track.Trainer Bob Baffert has nominated six fillies for the Desi Arnaz, including the G1 Del Mar Debutante winner, Tenma, owned by Baoma Corp. Another filly to watch is Tequilaandtherapy, who won the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies on the Breeders' Cup undercard for the Here We Go Brothers stable.In the G3 Bob Hope, all eyes will be on trainer Tim Yakteen's Breeders' Cup hopeful, Amestoy, Amestoy, Jr., or Beasley's McKinzie Street, who was scratched from the Juvenile in favor of this race.These two stakes races promise to showcase the rising stars of the 2-year-old division, as they vie for the spotlight and the opportunity to make their mark on the racing landscape.

Remembering a California Racing Icon: Don Valpredo

The California racing community recently mourned the passing of a true icon, Don Valpredo, who died at the age of 85 while on vacation overseas. Valpredo was a longtime horseman, breeding and racing enthusiast, and a fixture in the state's racing industry.Valpredo's contributions to the sport were numerous and impactful. He served on various racing boards, including the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, where he was the chairman, as well as the California Horse Racing Board and the Thoroughbred Owners of California. He was also an inductee of the California Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.One of Valpredo's most significant achievements was his role in creating the California Cup Day in 1990, a day dedicated to showcasing the state's top Thoroughbreds. The Sprint race on the card is named after him, a testament to his enduring legacy.Valpredo's passion for horse racing extended beyond his administrative roles. He and his business partner, John Harris, co-bred the 1994 California Horse of the Year, Soviet Problem. Valpredo's first-ever bred and raced horse won on its debut, further solidifying his place as a true icon in the industry.The racing community has lost a beloved figure, and Valpredo's contributions to the sport will be long remembered. As the industry mourns his passing, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Future Farmers of America Foundation's Leadership Fund, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence in agriculture and equine endeavors.