Tapiture Preps for Derby

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ GIII Southwest S. hero Tapiture (Tapit) breezed five furlongs in 1:02.80 at Churchill Downs yesterday in preparation for his next start in the GI Kentucky Derby May 3. 
    Ridden by Abel Flores, the chestnut was clocked in splits of :13.40, :25.80 and :38 flat and galloped out six panels in 1:16.40. 
    “I loved how relaxed he was, pre-breeze and stuff,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He went around there nice and smooth. I think that it’s a very big deal for both him and [Winchell’s GI Kentucky Oaks contender] Untapable (Tapit) to have all the time that they’ve spent here at Churchill previously – just to settle back in and get into a routine.” 
    Winner of the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. over this strip last term, it was Tapiture’s first work since finishing a disappointing fourth as the favorite in Oaklawn’s GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 12. 
    “It’s not the trip that he needs,” Asmussen said. “I think we identifed that and hopefully he’ll bounce back and run a huge race here. I think [the Kentucky Derby] is a tremendously competitive race, with California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) possibly standing out from a ‘numbers’ standpoint. But he’s got to do that here. We’ve got nothing but respect for him, but I think everybody else is kind of in the same boat.” 
    Ricardo Santana Jr. will pilot Tapiture on the first Saturday in May.