Tapiture Tackles Southwest

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred Tapiture (Tapit), who broke his maiden last time out in the Nov. 30 GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs, kicked off his sophomore debut with a 4 1/4-length triumph over even-money favorite Strong Mandate (Tiznow) in the GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn Monday. Sent off at 3-1, Tapiture broke from the inside in the field of 12 and was unrushed as a host of outside challengers sprinted over for the run into the first turn.Tanzanite Cat (Graeme Hall) was first to the bend. A rank Tapiture pulled his way to the lead after a half in :47.92, while Strong Mandate, making his first start since finishing third in the Nov. 2 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, was strung out some six wide down the backstretch. In front by a length after three-quarters in 1:13.06, Tapiture swung for home with only Strong Mandate looking any threat, but the chestnut bound clear down the lane despite drifting in and out several times. 
The win gave Tapit his second graded score of the President’s Day holiday, following Bandbox’s win in the GIII General George H. at Laurel. The Gainesway stallion’s Tapicat was third in the day’s final graded event, the GII Buena Vista H. at Santa Anita. 
“It was a big step forward for him,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen, who donned a bib to lead his charge onto the infield to be saddled before the race. “I was impressed with what he did. I saw some things we need to improve and he’ll have to continue to improve with the races coming up.” 
Asmussen added that Tapiture will likely return in the Mar. 15 GII Rebel S., the next step on Oaklawn’s Derby trail. “I think the series sets up really well for him,” the trainer explained. 
A third generation Winchell homebred, Tapiture began his career with a runner-up effort behind Strong Mandate at Saratoga last August. 
He was promptly thrown into stakes company where he finished third in the Sept. 7 GIII Iroquois S. at Churchill. He was third again in a one-mile special weight under the twin spires before his 4 1/4-length graduation in the Nov. 30 GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. 
The Rebel is also the likely next target for last year’s GI Hopeful S. winner Strong Mandate. “He ran well,” trainer D. Wayne Lukas said of the beaten favorite. “He didn’t have the cleanest of trips. We had wanted to be more forwardly placed, but he got bumped leaving the gate and was actually wide the whole trip. The winner ran exceptionally. We’ll just go back to the barn and look at the Rebel S.” 
Jockey Joel Rosario admitted his trip aboard Strong Mandate compromised his chances. “He broke a little slow,” Rosario explained. “In the first turn, I wanted to get into position, but I couldn’t. I had to hold a bit because a few horses were bouncing in and out. He’s the kind of horse you need to let run easy. He’s a big horse and you want to let him do what he wants. Maybe next time we’ll get a better trip.” 

SOUTHWEST S.-GIII, $300,000, OPX, 2-17, 3yo, 
1 1/16m, 1:44 4/5, ft. 
1–TAPITURE, 119, c, 3, by Tapit 
     1st Dam: Free Spin, by Olympio 
     2nd Dam: Spin n Win, by Private Account 
     3rd Dam: Debs Angel, by Raise a Cup 
O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Steven M 
Asmussen; J-Ricardo Santana, Jr. $180,000. Lifetime 
Record: 5-2-1-2, $320,838. *Full to Retap, SW & 
GSP, $230,152; and Remit, MSW, $257,556. Click 
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick 
Rating: A++. 
2–Strong Mandate, 117, c, 3, Tiznow–Clear Mandate, 
by Deputy Minister. ($200,000 yrl ’12 KEESEP). 
O-Robert C Baker & William L Mack; B-G Watts 
Humphrey Jr (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. $60,000. 
3–Ride On Curlin, 118, c, 3, Curlin–Magical Ride, by 
Storm Cat. ($25,000 yrl ’12 KEESEP). O-Daniel J 
Dougherty; B-G Watts Humphrey Jr & Louise Ireland 
Humphrey Revocable Trust-2 (KY); T-William G 
Gowan. $30,000. 
Margins: 4 1/4, 6, HF. Odds: 5.50, 1.00, 8.40. 
Also Ran: Coastline, Tanzanite Cat, Bourbonize, Walt, Fire Starter, Son of Dixie, Paganol, Kendall’s Boy, Louies Flower. Click for the brisnet.com chart or the brisnet.com PPs. VIDEO.