Contenders
Da' Tara
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: Alan Garcia
Owner: Robert LaPenta
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC
Da' Tara is an interesting addition to the Belmont (gr. I) field; with the defection of Spark Candle, Da' Tara could be the only horse left to contest or set the pace. If he does not break well early, that could leave Big Brown alone on the lead. To date, Da' Tara's lone win in seven starts has been in the slop at Gulfstream, when he wired the field in a nine furlong maiden race. He was a non-factor in Big Brown's Florida Derby (gr. I) after breaking poorly. His latest outing, in the Barbaro Stakes on the Preakness (gr. I) undercard, was his best race to date, but he still wasn't able to carry his speed the 1 1/16 miles. Though his sire Tiznow won the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Belmont, he will need a lifetime best to threaten.
Auction History
| Year | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Fasig-Tipton August Sale | $175,000 |
| 2006 | Keeneland January Mixed Sale | $100,000 |
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/07/08 | Belmont Stakes | 12f | 1 | $600,000 |
| 05/17/08 | Barbaro | 8.5 f | 2 | $20,000 |
| 04/26/08 | Derby Trial | 8 f | 5 | $3,317 |
| 03/29/08 | Florida Derby (gr. I) | 9 f | 9 | $0 |
| 02/22/08 | Allowance @ Gulfstream | 8 f | 3 | $4,150 |
| 01/05/08 | Maiden @ Gulfstream | 9 f | 1 | $25,200 |
| 12/08/07 | Maiden @ Calder | 8 f 70 yds | 4 | $1,000 |
| 09/28/07 | Maiden @ Belmont | 7 f | 2 | $10,400 |
| Record: 8 Starts, 2-2-1 | Total Earnings: $664,067 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Da' Tara Springs Upset; Big Brown Eased
The world awaited a delivery from Big Brown, but in a shocker it was 38-1 longshot Da' Tara who won the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), taking the "Test of the Champion" in wire-to-wire fashion June 7 as the horse seeking to win the Triple Crown was eased past the wire.
Zito Confident in Two Belmont Contenders
The Nick Zito-trained Anak Nakal was a go for the Belmont Stakes (gr.I) shortly after he ran seventh in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr.I) at Churchill Downs on May 3.
Belmont Notes: May 31
Equipped with a new set of stainless steel wires to hold together a small quarter crack in his left front hoof, Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown galloped May 31 as he continues to prepare for the 140th edition of the $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7.
Barbaro Stakes Ruled by Roman Emperor
Favored Roman Emperor charged to the lead on the turn, dueled with Da' Tara down the lane, then won the Barbaro Stakes for 3-year-olds May 17 at Pimlico.
Big Brown Huge in Florida Derby Rout
IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.'s highly-touted Big Brown proved that all the hype was justified, as he led from start to finish in the $1-million Florida Derby, crushing 11 rivals to win by five lengths March 29 at Gulfstream Park while making just his third career start.
| Da' Tara | Tiznow | Cee's Tizzy |
| Cee's Song | ||
| Torchera | Pirate's Bounty | |
| Kaylem Ho |
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