Top Older Fillies Contest Grade 1 Santa Margarita

8/5 morning line favorite Taris, primarily known for her sprinting ability throughout her 11-race career, stretches out to a mile and an eighth following her mile and one sixteenth win in the Grade 2 La Canada January 16 at Santa Anita. The Simon Callaghan trainee is a seven-time winner, including three graded stakes victories. Just how far this talented mare is willing to go is the question mark, but her talent and versatility make her the one to beat with regular rider and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens in the saddle breaking from  post 7.

Tara's Tango in great form

Tara's Tango, a co-second choice at 2/1 on the morning line, enters the Santa Margarita in good form following her Grade 2 victory in the Santa Maria Stakes February 13 at Santa Anita. The gray or roan four year-old daughter of Unbridled's Song appears to have gotten over whatever was ailing her towards the end of 2015 when she finished off the board in her last two races. Trained by Jerry Hollendorder, Tara's Tango has 3 wins in 9 starts to go with 3 runner-up finishes and a third. Rafael Bejarano gets the call breaking from post 2.  

Penwith ships west

Penwith also listed at 2/1 on the morning line, ships west for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin following her Grade 2 victory in the Royal Delta Stakes February 13 at Gulfstream. The five year-old daughter of Bernardini should have no problem with the distance and picks up Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith while breaking from post 3.