Tam Tam proved superior to the 3-year-old grass fillies in California by capturing the Aug. 22 Del Mar Oaks (G1T).
Now, she has made a compelling case for being the best 3-year-old turf filly in Kentucky, if not the country.
A front-running victory in the $732,188 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) underscored as much, as the filly outran Faithful Departed and eight other high-class 3-year-old turf fillies in the prestigious, invitation-only race.
"You don't think you can top grade 1, but this tops Del Mar," said her jubilant trainer, Phil Bauer, noting his and owner Richard Rigney's Kentucky ties.
Saturday's win wasn't a home-track victory for Bauer, who is based at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., but Keeneland is part of his regular circuit. The triumph marked his first upper-level win at the Lexington oval, adding a meaningful milestone to his developing training career.
Tam Tam and jockey Junior Alvarado made winning look relatively easy, taking the lead when John Velazquez aboard favored Luster eased that filly back off the pace into her usual stalking position entering the first turn. Tam Tam set lively fractions over the good turf in the 1 1/8-mile race, timed at :23.55, :47.81, and 1:12.88. Yet Tam Tam traveled comfortably throughout while maintaining at least a 1 1/2-length advantage. Her relaxed manner led Alvarado to believe she would have plenty left for the finish.
"I thought I was probably traveling :49 (to the half) the way she was doing it," he said.
After King's Plate Stakes winner Luster began to weaken on her way to a tiring eighth-place finish, only Faithful Departed, who had stalked the pace in third for much of the race, mounted a serious challenge. The Grant Forster-trained Yoshida filly, who defeated Tam Tam in the Regret Stakes (G3T) in May at Churchill Downs, moved into second under Jose Ortiz, 1 1/2 lengths behind at the mile marker. But Tam Tam turned aside the bid and opened up through the final furlong to cross the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front.
Tam Tam was clocked in 1:49.91 and returned $10.54 to win as the third choice.
French shipper Braida rallied to finish third, a length behind Faithful Departed.
Owner Richard Rigney of Rigney Racing praised bloodstock agent John Moynihan, Stonestreet Farm's longtime bloodstock adviser, for his role in Tam Tam's breeding. Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings bred the filly.
"So today I was like telling John, 'Thank you so much. We couldn't have got here without you.' And of course, John's like, 'This is a team.'"
A daughter of longtime Darley stallion Medaglia d'Oro, who was pensioned from stud duties in 2025, Tam Tam is the first stakes winner from three foals to race out of the Distorted Humor mare Princess Julia. The latter was produced from 2005 champion 2-year-old filly Folklore.
Rigney Racing purchased Tam Tam for $975,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment to Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2024 in upstate New York.
Bauer and Rigney entered the race with confidence.
"We kind of joked all week that we were walking around the barn like roosters with our chests popped out," Bauer said.
Now 5-2-2 in 10 starts with earnings of $1,084,738, Tam Tam appears poised for further success.
"I really think that she's just going to keep getting better and better," Bauer said.
