Out West, Santa Anita Park took center stage for key “Win and You’re In” events leading up to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, now just 27 days away on Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1.
Tamara Returns in Style – Chillingworth Stakes (GIII)
The day’s action kicked off with the Grade III Chillingworth Stakes for fillies and mares three years old and upward — marking the highly anticipated return of Tamara, the beautifully bred daughter of Bolt d’Oro and Beholder.
Now four, Tamara hadn’t raced since finishing second by a nose in an allowance at Del Mar in November 2024. She was originally scheduled to run in the Grade I La Brea on Santa Anita’s opening day last December but scratched with a fever. Then, in January, she chipped a sesamoid after kicking the rail. After months of patient rehab, the comeback was worth the wait.
Tamara Racehorse Chillingworth -Champion – Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
She broke cleanly, settled comfortably, and looked ready to roll from the backstretch on. Turning for home, Hall of Famer Mike Smith asked for a bit, and Tamara responded instantly, taking the lead with effortless authority.
Silent Law — a Tiz the Law–Southern Silence filly trained by Bob Baffert — finished a clear second, ahead of Ang N Ash (Ryan Hanson) and Chismosa (Rafael DeLeon).
Tamara, trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, has now won 3 of 5 starts, earning $321,400. A possible next target: the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at seven furlongs on October 31.
After the race, Smith said:
“She wanted to go head-to-head. I settled her down and talked her out of it.”
At four, she looks stronger and sharper than ever — and fans are already wondering if we’ll see her again at age five.
Intrepido Upsets in Grade I American Pharoah
The Grade I American Pharoah Stakes delivered a surprise as Intrepido came flying late to catch odds-on favorite Desert Gate, securing a ticket to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Hector Berrios, Intrepido — a ridgling by Maximus Mischief out of Overly Indulgent — unleashed a powerful stretch run to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:43.67 for owners Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC.
Desert Gate, trained by Bob Baffert, handled two turns well in his first attempt and looked home free turning for home before Intrepido surged past. Baffert’s other runner, Plutarch, also made a mid-stretch bid but couldn’t reel in the top pair.
With this performance, Intrepido stamped his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile — and perhaps the 2026 Kentucky Derby trail.
Intrepido- American Pharoah Stakes – Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
Other Stakes Highlights
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Grade II Rodeo Drive Stakes – Mission of Joy (trainer Phil D’Amato) earned a Breeders’ Cup berth.
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Grade II Oak Leaf Stakes – Explora (trainer Bob Baffert) secured her spot.
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Speakeasy Stakes (Listed) – Later Than Planned (trainer Phil D’Amato) took the win.
Santa Anita’s Win and You’re In weekend delivered storylines worthy of the Breeders’ Cup spotlight — with Tamara’s brilliance, Intrepido’s late charge, and D’Amato and Baffert continuing to load the Cup lineup with contenders.
American Pharoah Stakes-Gate – Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
