When last seen in the Big Apple, Taris (Flatter)–then conditioned by Todd Beattie for Commonwealth New Era racing–slapped around a field of maidens to graduate by 11 3/4 lengths and become a 'TDN Rising Star.' Much has transpired since, but the bay makes what connections hope will be a victorious return to Ozone Park in Friday's GIII Go For Wand H.
After failing to see out two turns, Taris became one of the leading short-trackers of her generation, with a nine-length demolition in the GII Lexus Raven Run S. before being sold to the Coolmore connections for $2.35 million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale. Sidelined after setting a scorching pace in the GI La Brea S. and finishing second, the bay returned from an injury-enforced absence to take the GIII Rancho Bernardo H. Aug. 16, was third in an oddly run renewal of the GIII L. A. Woman S. Oct. 4 and exits a third in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly/Mare Sprint Oct. 31.
America (A.P. Indy), from the female family of GI Belmont S. victress Rags to Riches and by the same sire, was Grade I-placed at three and won the Affectionately S. over the local inner track Jan. 1 before picking up more Grade I black-type when third to Sheer Drama (Burning Roma) in the Delaware H. July 18. Off the board in her next couple, the Bobby Flay homebred became a graded winner in her own right, wiring the field last time in the GIII Turnback the Alarm H. at Belmont Oct. 30.
One-time claimer Spelling Again (Awesome Again) makes her New York debut here for trainer Brad Cox. Winner of the Open Mind S. at Churchill Sept. 12, the bay was a troubled fourth in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. in the Keeneland mud Oct. 3 and most recently parlayed a stalking trip into a 4 1/2-length success in the Nov. 7 GII Chilukki S. going this trip and configuration at Churchill Downs Nov. 7. Click for TJCIS PPs.
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