News
Tarnawa Terrific In Turf

Photo Courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire
Courtesy of Curtis Kalleward of the Racing Dudes
LEXINGTON, KY - His Highness the Aga Khan Studs hombred Tarnawa proved absolutely terrific as she toppled several of the world's best grass runners in Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Longines Turf (G1) at Keeneland.
Tarnawa and replacement rider Colin Keane (who took the mount after Christophe Soumillon tested positive for COVID-19) broke a little awkwardly from post 3 as the 9/2 third choice and sat at the rear of the field.
Channel Maker hustled to the lead out of the gate and set a measured tempo, posting fractions of :25.57, :51.06, 1:15.99, and 1:40.52 through the opening mile while last year's runner-up United kept close watch.
Channel Maker opened up as he led the field through the far turn for the second time and straightened for home with a sizeable advantage, but Tarnawa was hustling down the center of the course with gusto.
Sweeping past Channel Maker and the 2/1 favorite Magical to take the lead at the 1/16 pole, Tarnawa proved much the best, crossing a length clear while completing the 1 1/2-mile firm turf route in 2:28.02.
"Pretty straightforward, to be honest," Keane replied when asked what instructions trainer Dermot Weld gave him. "Mr. Weld said get her out the gates and ride her as you find her. I spoke to Oisin Orr (who had ridden her previously) and he said she’s very straightforward. We just tipped away down the back straight, then we got going before the bend, then off she went. We got a clean run then and she was very good to the line."
Magical's finish mirrored her same result in the 2018 edition of this race, taking runner-up honors behind another world-class female turfer. Channel Maker finished third, just a nose behind Magical.
Lord North, Mogul, Arklow, Mehdaayih, United, Red King, and Donjah completed the order of finish.
Tarnawa's win was her fourth from as many starts this year, the latter 3 all at the Grade/Group 1 level, and improved her overall record to 14-8-2-2. The Irish-bred 4-year-old Shamardal filly has now earned $2,868,503 after giving Weld his first Breeders' Cup victory.
Tarnawa returned $11.40 to win, $5.40 to place, and $4 to show. Magical brought back $4 to place and $2.80 to show, while Channel Maker paid $5.60 to show.
For more Breeders’ Cup coverage, head over to racingdudes.com.
More News
- February 26, 2021
Four Breeders' Cup Champions - Essential Quality, Fire At Will, Vequist and Monomoy Girl - Return to Action this Weekend
Saturday’s action features two Breeders’ Cup winners in prep races for the 147th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
- February 21, 2021
Cafe Pharaoh Wins Sunday's February Stakes in Japan Earns an Automatic Berth into 2021 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic
On Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse, Koichi Nishikawa’s Cafe Pharoah, a Kentucky-bred son of American Pharoah, earned the first automatic berth into this year’s $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.
- February 19, 2021
Red le Zele and Cafe Pharoah Lead Sunday's February Stakes in Japan for First Automatic Berth into 2021 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic
TokyoHorseRacing Co. Ltd.’s Red le Zele (JPN) and Koichi Nishikawa’s Cafe Pharoah (JPN) lead the 16-horse field for Sunday’s 38th running of the 1-mile, $1.84 million February Stakes (G1) on dirt at Tokyo Racecourse.