Tiny Temper, the only GIII Azeri S. entry without prior stakes experience, delivered a remarkable performance to win the race at Oaklawn Park, marking her first graded stakes victory.
‣ Tiny Temper, an underdog in the GIII Azeri Stakes, showcased a remarkable performance by overcoming the odds and winning, marking her first graded stakes win and demonstrating her potential for future high-stakes races.
‣ The race highlighted the pedigree of Tiny Temper, being a progeny of the deceased sire Arrogate, and emphasized the significance of breeding in the success of racehorses, with Tiny Temper becoming the 18th stakes winner and 12th graded stakes winner for Arrogate.
‣ Trainer Dallas Stewart expressed confidence in Tiny Temper’s abilities and has high hopes for her participation in the upcoming GI Apple Blossom S., reflecting the importance of strategic planning and patience in developing a racehorse’s career.
What a finish in the G2 🏆 Azeri Stakes at @OaklawnRacing!
#7 TINY TEMPER ($25.60) comes from behind with @James_D_Graham in the irons for trainer @DallasStewart3 and owners Mark Stanley & Nancy Stanley. pic.twitter.com/cyDNpXCE1o
— TVG (@TVG) March 9, 2024
Tiny Temper, the underdog of the GIII Azeri S., truly showed her mettle on that fateful Saturday in Hot Springs. It was a sight to behold, really. This filly, previously untested in stakes company, galloped like a seasoned champion, eyeing the prize that lay ahead in the GI Apple Blossom S.
Her journey wasn’t a straight line, though. Nope. After breaking her maiden in a messy race at Churchill Downs, she kinda disappeared. Vanished, until a fourth-place finish at Ellis Park last summer caught our eyes again. Then, poof! Gone, until this January.
But oh, when she came back, she did with a bang. Winning against allowance foes at Fair Grounds with a Beyer of 92. Not too shabby, huh? Then, stepping into the big leagues as an 11-1 long shot, she had us all on the edge of our seats. The favorite, Hot and Sultry, and Bellamore were duking it out, but Tiny Temper? She was biding her time, lurking in the shadows.
Up the backstretch, she was like that little engine that could. You know the one. She hugged the rail, chased the pace, and then—bam!—into the lane she went. As the leaders faltered, looking almost sluggish, Misty Veil snatched the lead. But not for long.
James Graham, cool as a cucumber, steered Tiny Temper to victory. A gutsy move that paid off. Trainer Dallas Stewart was all praises. “Don’t be afraid to get in there,” he said. And boy, did Tiny Temper get in there. They had faith in her, and she didn’t disappoint. Now, they’re eyeing the Apple Blossom with a glint in their eyes.
Pedigree-wise, she’s a gem. The 18th stakes winner for the late Arrogate, out of a mare with her own set of accolades. And let’s not forget her siblings, fetching handsome sums at sales. Talent runs in the family, it seems.
The race at Oaklawn Park was a spectacle. Tiny Temper, against all odds, clinched her first graded stakes win. The crowd went wild. The payouts were handsome for those who dared to believe. And the buzz? It hasn’t died down yet.
What a race, what a finish. TVG’s tweet captured the moment perfectly, a testament to Tiny Temper’s tenacity and the thrill of horse racing. A moment, I’m sure, that will be talked about for quite some time.
