Da' Tara
Encyclopedia
Da' Tara is an American
thoroughbred
racehorse
who won the 2008 Belmont Stakes
in an upset over Big Brown
. Da' Tara was a 38-1 underdog entering the post at Belmont. He is trained by Nick Zito
, his jockey is Alan Garcia, and his sire is Tiznow
.
The colt failed to break his maiden as a two year-old, finishing fourth in a Calder maiden race in December.
Already based at Gulfstream Park
, trainer Nick Zito
decided to enter Da' Tara in the Grade 1 Florida Derby
. It was a tough assignment for the colt, particularly as Da'Tara faced Zito's Fountain of Youth
winner Cool Coal Man, South American Champion Tomcito
, and Big Brown
, who had all but crushed his competition in his two previous starts. Da' Tara finished 9th-23½ lengths behind the winner, Big Brown.
Da'Tara ran in the Derby Trial
, finishing fifth. In the Barbaro Stakes
, at 8.5 furlongs, Da'Tara finished second behind Roman Emperor.
In the June 7, 2008 Belmont Stakes, Da' Tara, the longest shot in the field at 38-1 odds, moved swiftly to the lead under Alan Garcia and led wire to wire, winning by 5.5 lengths defeating previously undefeated, and Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown.
Da' Tara ($79) finished 1½ miles, one lap at Belmont Park main track, in relatively slow time of 2:29.65 on a dirt track rated fast (with quarter-mile fractions of 23.82 seconds, 48.30, 1:12.90, 1:37.96, and 2:03.21).
Since the Belmont, Da'Tara has yet to win a race.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who won the 2008 Belmont Stakes
2008 Belmont Stakes
The 2008 Belmont Stakes was the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes. The race was won by Da'Tara, who led the race wire to wire. Da'Tara had 38-1 odds, making the win a monumental upset. Big Brown, the favorite who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, finished in last place, a first for any...
in an upset over Big Brown
Big Brown
Big Brown is a retired champion American Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes. Bred by Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms in Lexington, Kentucky, he won his first five race starts. He was sired by Grade III winner Boundary, a son of North American...
. Da' Tara was a 38-1 underdog entering the post at Belmont. He is trained by Nick Zito
Nick Zito
Nicholas Philip "Nick" Zito is an American Thoroughbred horse trainer.Zito began his career as a hot walker and worked his way up to a groom, to an assistant trainer, and to a trainer...
, his jockey is Alan Garcia, and his sire is Tiznow
Tiznow
Tiznow is an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse owned by Michael L. Cooper and Cee's Stable.-Pedigree:...
.
Two Year-Old Season
Da'Tara's two-year old season was unremarkable. In his first race, a 7 furlong maiden race on the main track at Belmont Park, he was beaten by his stablemate, Anak Nakal, by a length, finishing second and beating the third place horse by a nose. Alan Garcia, who rode Da'Tara to victory in the 2008 Belmont Stakes, was also the jockey that day.The colt failed to break his maiden as a two year-old, finishing fourth in a Calder maiden race in December.
Three Year-Old Season
In January 2008, Da' Tara would finally win a race, a nine furlong maiden race at Gulfstream. He won it in good form, and he was in front the whole race. He was entered in an allowance race shortly after, and he finished third, beaten by more than four lengths after dueling on the lead.Already based at Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
, trainer Nick Zito
Nick Zito
Nicholas Philip "Nick" Zito is an American Thoroughbred horse trainer.Zito began his career as a hot walker and worked his way up to a groom, to an assistant trainer, and to a trainer...
decided to enter Da' Tara in the Grade 1 Florida Derby
Florida Derby
The Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida on the Saturday closest to the end of March or the first of April. Added to the racing schedule in 1952, the Grade 1 race is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt...
. It was a tough assignment for the colt, particularly as Da'Tara faced Zito's Fountain of Youth
Fountain of Youth Stakes
The Fountain of Youth Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida at the beginning of March. A Grade II event open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt, it offers a purse of $400,000...
winner Cool Coal Man, South American Champion Tomcito
Tomcito
Tomcito is a Peruvian Thoroughbred racehorse. He was bred by Lexington, Kentucky's Chesapeake Farm and Darley Stud, the latter a part of the worldwide breeding/racing interests of Dubai's HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum...
, and Big Brown
Big Brown
Big Brown is a retired champion American Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes. Bred by Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms in Lexington, Kentucky, he won his first five race starts. He was sired by Grade III winner Boundary, a son of North American...
, who had all but crushed his competition in his two previous starts. Da' Tara finished 9th-23½ lengths behind the winner, Big Brown.
Da'Tara ran in the Derby Trial
Derby Trial
The Derby Trial Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of April at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Held one week before the Kentucky Derby, it was first run in 1924 and every year since, with the exception of 1928...
, finishing fifth. In the Barbaro Stakes
Barbaro Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
The Barbaro Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is run as part of the undercard for the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series...
, at 8.5 furlongs, Da'Tara finished second behind Roman Emperor.
In the June 7, 2008 Belmont Stakes, Da' Tara, the longest shot in the field at 38-1 odds, moved swiftly to the lead under Alan Garcia and led wire to wire, winning by 5.5 lengths defeating previously undefeated, and Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown.
Da' Tara ($79) finished 1½ miles, one lap at Belmont Park main track, in relatively slow time of 2:29.65 on a dirt track rated fast (with quarter-mile fractions of 23.82 seconds, 48.30, 1:12.90, 1:37.96, and 2:03.21).
Since the Belmont, Da'Tara has yet to win a race.