Santa Ynez attracts promising Kopion, Tambo

Jan 05, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Ynez (G3) at Santa Anita can be summed up as a clash between flashy debut maiden winner Kopion and the proven filly Tambo. They’ll meet only three rivals in this scoring race toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1), and all five are set to carve up the points on offer, on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis in order of finish.

Kopion stamped herself as potentially smart with a 3 3/4-length debut victory Nov. 26 at Del Mar. Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, the Spendthrift Farm runner swept from off the pace to win handily as the 3-10 favorite.

On Sunday, Kopion figures to be well backed again as she tries to become the first graded stakes winner sired by multiple Grade 1 star Omaha Beach, the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite who ended up scratching. Omaha Beach has become one of the most successful first-crop sires of 2023, and Kopion can continue his momentum with his newly-turned three-year-olds. Flavien Prat will guide the exciting prospect from the rail.

The Peter Eurton-trained Tambo, who has been knocking on the door in stakes, will give her a fitting class test. A closing runner-up in the Oct. 21 Anoakia S. at this track, Tambo was just denied by a nose in the Nov. 18 Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar. That form was boosted when the Desi Arnaz winner, Nothing Like You, came back to dominate the Starlet (G2). Tambo will break from post 2 with a returning Antonio Fresu.

Also exiting the Desi Arnaz is Don’t Bring Crazy. Although she was a distant fourth behind Nothing Like You and Tambo, she picks up leading rider Juan Hernandez here. Don’t Bring Crazy is one of a pair representing trainer Doug O’Neill. Stablemate Bossy Bruin Gal faces a steeper class hike after winning two straight in claiming races.

Petit Filet has been competing in stakes restricted to California-bred (or-sired) fillies, rallying for second in the Nov. 3 Golden State Juvenile Fillies S. on the Breeders’ Cup Friday undercard and most recently fourth in the Dec. 10 Soviet Problem S. over a mile. The cutback in distance could help Petit Filet, who gets a noteworthy rider switch to Kazushi Kimura.

The Santa Ynez is scheduled as Sunday’s eighth race (post time 6:40 p.m. ET), and you can watch and wager at TwinSpires.com.