Tango Tango Tango Set to Dance in Bruce D. Stakes

It’s top-level racing and online betting markets are available for all feature races at Arlington.

Sisterson Confident with Tango

Three-year-old colt Tango Tango Tango took four starts to break his maiden but did it in style when winning the American Derby at Arlington.

The Jack Sisterson-trainee didn’t run with blinkers in his first three starts, but the gear change seemingly made the difference.

“That was sort of the missing link there, the addition of blinkers,” Sisterson told BloodHorse. “It had him more focused and forwardly placed in the race and it sort of got him over the edge.”

The $300,000 race hasn’t attracted the same quality of field it used to, but that works in favor of Tango Tango Tango. Having had only four starts, taking on top-level thoroughbreds might have been too tough for the son of Tourist.

“I don’t think any grade 1 is easy, but it might not be the toughest,” Sisterson added. “Fingers crossed everyone gets a clean trip and the best horse wins on the day.”

The main challenge will likely come from Therideofalifetime, who finished third in the Housebuster Overnight at Colonial Downs.

He won at allowance level prior to that at Churchill Downs, so it’s not exactly Grade I form. However, the field isn’t deep and the son of Candy Ride could take advantage.

Horse racing betting markets should have Tango Tango Tango as the clear favorite on race day.

Santa Barbara the Standout in Beverly

Aidan O’Brien could strike with Santa Barbara, who is a leading chance in the Beverly D. Stakes.

The well-bred daughter of Camelot created a big impression when winning the Belmont Oaks over Con Lima and that form has been franked with Con Lima winning the Saratoga Oaks last Saturday.

Santa Barbara showed her ability when running second in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland, which is a primary lead-up race to the major age-group features in Europe.

SANTA BARBARA wins the opening race at the Curragh under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O’Brien. She is a Camelot half sister to multiple G1 winner IRIDESSA. pic.twitter.com/S50fR2hGOt

— Emma O’Brien (@EmmaOBrien2204) September 26, 2020

She also finished fourth in the English Thousand Guineas, so the class runs through her form line and we would be surprised if she wasn’t in contention in the Beverly D. Stakes.

Chad Brown’s Lemista is the biggest threat to the favorite. She didn’t fire in the Grade I Diana Stakes at Saratoga, but the former European showed her ability by winning three consecutive races in Europe.

She won a stakes race at her second start and followed with a stakes and a Grade II victory at Curragh in the Killboy Estate Stakes. Her form since has been mixed, but the daughter of Raven’s Pass is bred to be better than average, so she’s worth another chance.

Santa Barbara and Lemista is a solid quinella play for bettors that love an exotic bet. They should be one-two in the betting, so don’t expect a big price, but with the markets likely to reach high levels, payouts will be higher.