Race Day to Spendthrift

Matthew Schera’s GII Oaklawn H. winner Race Day (Tapit–Rebalite, by More Than Ready) will stand the 2016 breeding season at B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift Farm and will participate in the operation’s “Share The Upside” program, it was announced Thursday. The Todd Pletcher trainee, who also annexed the GIII Razorback H. in March, is being pointed to Keeneland’s GII Fayette S. Oct. 30. The 4-year-old, who currently sports earnings of $613,450 from a 10-5-1-2 record, is expected to retire at the end of the year. Race Day’s “Share The Upside” fee will be $8,500 for a one-year commitment. Breeders will earn a lifetime breeding right to Race Day after having one live foal and paying the stud fee.

“We really made it a priority to be able to offer breeders a top son of Tapit through our ‘Share The Upside’ program, and Race Day has shown he’s one of the most talented Tapits coming off the racetrack this year,” said Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey. “For $8,500, we’re giving people the opportunity to have a foal in 2017 and then receive a lifetime breeding right in an exciting son of Tapit. We don’t believe there’s a better offer under $10,000 in the industry, and we feel like Race Day will prove to be very popular.”

A $285,000 horse-in-training purchase at the 2004 Keeneland November Sale, Race Day is a half to MSP Banded (Bandini) out of a half-sister to MGISW Lite Light (Majestic Light).

Spendthrift will also be offering “Share The Upside” participants an opportunity to breed a second mare to Race Day for $3,500, stands and nurses in each of his first three years at stud. For breeders not interested in the “Share The Upside” program, Race Day will be offered for $7,000 on a standard stands and nurses contract. All fees are subject to change pending race results.