Tamara Disqualified from the Chillingworth After Positive Test

Silent Law Inherits Santa Anita G3 for First Graded Score; Trainer Richard Mandella Fined and Docked Points

Tamara’s positive test resulted in a sanction for Richard Mandella / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, California (Special to Turf Diario).— Tamara, racing in the colors of Spendthrift Farm, has been disqualified from her victory in the Chillingworth Stakes (GIII) at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 4 after a post-race test conducted by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) returned positive for methocarbamol, a muscle relaxant prohibited on race day. The ruling was made official Dec. 16.

The development had begun to take shape days earlier, when trainer Richard Mandella confirmed that the filly had been treated with the medication to address a back issue. Mandella explained that the treatment was administered over three days and that a withdrawal period he believed to be sufficient was observed.

“We followed a protocol we’ve used for many years, but the test came back positive and I take full responsibility,” Mandella said. “I deeply regret the situation and the impact it has had on the owners and on the industry.”

The sanction caps a campaign marked by adversity for the daughter of Bolt d’Oro, a member of an illustrious female family as a direct descendant of Hall of Famer Beholder (Henny Hughes). Crowned champion at two following her victory in the Del Mar Debutante (GI) in 2023, Tamara endured a lengthy layoff due to various physical setbacks, with the Chillingworth intended as her return to top-level competition.

With the disqualification, the victory was awarded to Silent Law, who had finished second, beaten 3 3/4 lengths. The daughter of Tiz the Law, trained by Bob Baffert, thus earns her first graded stakes win, a significant milestone in a steadily progressing campaign. She had previously captured the Anoakia Stakes (Listed) and posted several solid stakes efforts.

The ruling once again underscores the stringent medication regulations governing U.S. racing and the consequences that can follow even therapeutic treatments when withdrawal times are misjudged. As a result, the official outcome of the Chillingworth has been amended, and Silent Law now takes her place among graded stakes winners.