Tarifa aims to reverse the Kentucky Oaks form with Thorpedo Anna in the Gr1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racecourse in Pennsylvania, USA, on Saturday.
Both fillies lined up at Churchill Downs on the first Friday of May, in which Tarifa failed to get involved as she trailed home ninth behind impressive winner Thorpedo Anna.
Tarifa had previously made an impressive start to 2024 with three consecutive wins at Fair Grounds, including completing a Gr2 double in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and Fair Grounds Oaks.
The Brad Cox-trained daughter of Bernardini warmed up for her autumn campaign with a clear second in the Audubon Oaks at Ellis Park in August.
Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Tarifa is coming into the Cotillion in excellent shape. Her training and recent breezes have pleased Brad, and he couldn’t have her in any better condition.
“She had a nice prep in her last race, which will set her up for a big effort. Obviously, Thorpedo Anna will take all the beating as the top three-year-old filly in the US, if not the best three-year-old regardless of gender.
“We feel taking her on after a hard race against the colts four weeks ago in the best three-year-old race of the year [Travers Stakes] will hopefully have taken the sting out of her. If not, we will all be running for second place.
“We are expecting a top effort from Tarifa to set her up for a good fall campaign.”
First off – time to be advised.
