by Tim Nichols
Tam Lin (GB) surged clear in the final furlong to earn a breakthrough graded stakes win in the United States in the $248,000 Kelso Handicap (G2) on Sunday at Belmont Park.
Godolphin’s five-year-old gelding completed one mile on turf rated as soft in 1:39.13 to score a 4¼-length win as the 2.45-to-1 second betting choice. Tam Lin won a Group 3 race in England as a juvenile in 2006.
Ridden by Javier Castellano, Tam Lin pressed pacesetter Forefathers through solid fractions of :23.81, :47:85, and 1:14.06 through six furlongs on the testing ground.
“We expected to be four or five lengths behind the lead, but when we were right behind the leaders, I didn’t want to fight him,” Castellano said. “Just let him enjoy the trip.”
Tam Lin challenged for the lead approaching the lane and unleashed an explosive turn of foot in early stretch when asked by Castellano. The Selkirk gelding left five competitors in his wake as he accelerated to a clear victory under a strong hand ride with his tail wildly swishing through the final furlong.
“This horse isn’t easy to ride but I get along with him,” Castellano said. “Today, he was very relaxed and comfortable. And in the post parade he was so kind.”
Stalingrad, the 2-to-1 favorite, closed gamely to post his second consecutive runner-up finish in a Grade 2 race. Operation Red Dawn finished third, three-quarters of a length behind Stalingrad .
Tam Lin secured his first win for trainer Saeed bin Suroor since taking the Scottish Monk Stakes on June 14 at Belmont. The Kelso was his second win in six starts since he was shipped from England to North America following the 2007 season.
Out of Irish and French classic-placed winner La Nuit Rose, by Rainbow Quest, Tam Lin improved to six wins in 16 starts and increased his career earnings to $406,818.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor