Riboletta's Sister Rolls in Debut

Tamara Princess, a full sister to last year's champion older female Riboletta, made her 3-year-old debut a winning one Wednesday at Hollywood, winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race in 1:15.24.

Finishing second in the $42,000 maiden-special weight for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, was another well-bred first-time starter, Double Cat. Trained by Neil Drysdale, Double Cat is a half-sister to War Chant, last year's winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).

Breaking sharply under Mike Smith, Tamara Princess shot to the lead and was challenged early by Stormscape as the pair set early splits of :22.22 and :45.19. Double Cat, under Gary Stevens, traveled well in third while wide for the entire trip.

It became a two-horse race in the lane, but Tamara Princess kept Double Cat at bay, getting six furlongs in 1:09.10. Final time for the race was 1:15.24. Sent off the 6-5 favorite, Tamara Princess paid $4.60.

The 3-year-old Tamara Princess was bred in Brazil by Hara Santa Ana do Rio Grande. She is owned by Aaron and Marie Jones and trained by Eduardo Inda, the same connections of Riboletta. Riboletta has returned to training after failing to get in foal earlier this year.