by Steve Sherack
After switching hands for $2.35 million at last year's FTKNOV sale, jaw-dropping GII Lexus Raven Run S. heroine Taris (Flatter) immediately showed her class in her first start for her new connections with a courageous second following a scorching early pace in the GI La Brea S. at Santa Anita Dec. 26.
The Tabor, Smith and Magnier colorbearer–sidelined immediately thereafter with a non-displaced condylar fracture–is three weeks away from her first timed workout, reports trainer Simon Callaghan.
“We're really happy with her,” Callaghan said. “She just got back galloping. The surgery [on her right front ankle] went really well, and so far, we couldn't be happier with the way that she's looking and training.”
The speedy bay–tabbed as a 'TDN Rising Star' after a double-digit debut score for owner Commonwealth New Era Racing and trainer Todd Beattie at the Big A back in December 2013–is targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint as her main goal at Keeneland Oct. 31.
“We'll just see how she trains as to what prep races we decide to use,” Callaghan explained. “We'll figure that out when we get a little further along with her training.”
He continued, “She's a filly that's incredibly talented. Her workouts in the morning had been spectacular leading up to the [La Brea]. It's exciting to get her back and we're looking forward to the rest of the year with her.”
Callaghan also reported that Firing Line (Line Of David), eased in the GI Preakness S. after a huge second-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby, has plenty of options for his next start. He could return in the GII Los Alamitos Derby July 4 or await either the GI Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Aug. 2, the GI Travers S. at Saratoga Aug. 29 or even the GI Pacific Classic against older horses at Del Mar Aug. 22.
“He's been doing well,” Callaghan confirmed. “We've just been keeping him in light training. Obviously, looking back at the Derby, we ran an incredibly good race. We're the horse that gave American Pharoah his toughest race so far. Looking back in hindsight and with American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown, it really vindicates the form and shows what a really good Derby it was this year.”
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