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Sandy Bottom (Omaha Beach) by a nose over Tamara (Bolt d’Oro) || Benoit Photo

It was a Spendthrift-Bred exacta, and a Spendthrift-sired trifecta, in the 7th race at Del Mar on November 15, 2024.

Omaha Beach’s undefeated, stakes winning daughter Sandy Bottom made her return to the races after a year off, her last start being a win in the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita in October 2023. She had won her debut a month before at Del Mar for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Tamara, the daughter of Bolt d’Oro and Hall Of Fame mare Beholder, was also making a comeback after a year off. Her last start was in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies where she faded in the stretch, and after the race it was discovered she had fractured a splint bone. Tamara had won her first two starts, a debut at Del Mar in August 2023, then in her second start a dazzling victory in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante.

The Allowance OC at Del Mar drew a field of six fillies, and was one of the most anticipated races of the weekend. Sandy Bottom, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, broke well and controlled the pace. Tamara, ridden by Mike Smith, did not break as well and was last in the first furlong. Tamara cruised up on the rail and coming into the turn, contested Sandy Bottom who controlled the race on the lead. The two fillies fought in the stretch, and at the wire it came down to a nose. The winning nose went to Sandy Bottom. Anywho, a filly by Bolt d’Oro, finished third to round out the Spendthrift-sired Trifecta.

Both fillies were bred by Spendthrift Farm in 2021, with Sandy Bottom being sold in the 2022 September Yearling Sale for $145,000 to current owners James and Donna Daniell with West Bloodstock signing the ticket. Tamara was kept by Spendthrift Farm and sent to trainer Richard Mandella, who also trained her dam Beholder.

The Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on Santa Anita’s opening day December 26 seems to be the target for both fillies.