Second Chances: Tam Tam ‘Did Everything Right, Except Win’

[Wandering Eyes]

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

Neither Delightful Claire (Thousand Words) or Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) won on debut as the favorite for Rigney Racing and trainer Phil Bauer before romping at second asking for 'TDN Rising Star' honors.

Bauer drew some comparisons between the talented duo and the promising Tam Tam (f, 2, by Medaglia d'Oro), a debut third as the 8-5 choice going 6 1/2 furlongs on the Travers undercard at Saratoga Aug. 23.

“We've had a few horses the last few years that seemed to be ultra-talented that not necessarily fooled us, but just did everything so easy in the mornings that maybe they came up a tad short in their first start,” Bauer said.

“(MGSW) Two Sharp and (GIII Prioress S. runner-up) Delightful Claire, they were 3-year-olds, but they were very similar. We thought they were gonna win first time out and just came up a little short. We're hoping that Tam Tam's in that category. She should take a big step forward in her second start.”

Tam Tam, a $975,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase by Richard Rigney's operation, broke on top from her outside draw and was hounded through an opening quarter in a sharp :22.22. The blinkered bay began to separate herself from the field entering the far turn and hit the top of the stretch in complete control beneath Jose Ortiz. Tam Tam looked well on her way and enjoyed a four-length advantage at the stretch call, but grew leg weary close to home.

Five Bars (Maxfield) rallied impressively from last of seven for 'Rising Star' honors after getting wiped out at the start. Icecreamforevryone (Gun Runner) rallied from second last to just get up for second.

Tam Tam, defeated by a half-length, earned a 59 Beyer Speed Figure.

Tam Tam (red silks, inside) finishes third behind 'Rising Star' Five Bars first time out at Saratoga | Coglianese photo

“I thought she did everything right, except win,” Bauer said. “If you're gonna lose a race, you might as well run like that and just know that you got some ability.”

Tam Tam returned to the worktab with a five-furlong breeze in 1:02.40 (3/7) at Churchill Downs Sept. 11. She is being aimed at a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at the end of the Churchill meeting.

“She seems like she's one that's taken the race well and hopefully gets the job done in her next start,” Bauer said.

“If anything, maybe it was a blessing in disguise that made us pump the brakes a little bit. Being that she's a talented 2-year-old, you start to dream.”

The Stonestreet-bred Tam Tam is out of Princess Julia (Distorted Humor), a daughter of champion 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Folklore (Tiznow). The $400,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Stonestreet Stables was winless in four career starts. This is also the extended female family of Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and two-time champion Essential Quality (Tapit). Tam Tam was bred on the same Medaglia d'Oro x Distorted Humor cross as top-level winners Elate, Golden Sixty and New Money Honey.

Since launching 'Second Chances' in 2017, 64 maidens have been featured in these pages (through 2024), producing 25% graded stakes winners, 34% stakes winners and 48% stakes horses.

The series has introduced eight future winners at the top level, led by this year's GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers S. winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo).

FIVE BARS rallies to break her maiden at 9-1 in the third race with @JRosarioJockey aboard for trainer Shug McGaughey. pic.twitter.com/ClGFo6ql6i

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 23, 2025

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