Never fear, Tepin is up late in the Hillsborough
With the mighty champion Tepin in the race, Isabella Sings needed a good plan. It turns out she had one, and it was almost good enough to pull off a big upset in the Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes today over the Tampa Bay Downs turf course. Of course, almost is not quite the same as doing it, and so it was for the loose on the lead filly. When Tepin was given her cue from rider Julien Leparoux, the fantastic grass mare turned it on down the stretch and inhaled the speedy upstart late to win going away.
In her second start of the season, and her second start since romping in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland, this was not supposed to be too much of a tricky spot for the Eclipse Award winning Tepin, but talented speed is always dangerous. Isabella Sings has plenty of speed, but few expected to see the four-year-old graded stakes winner open up like she did. Sent off as the 7-1 third choice in the field of ten, the daughter of Eskendereya opened up 15 lengths or more on the backstretch, under rider John Velazquez, who was told to let the filly roll early, by trainer Todd Pletcher.
Meanwhile, Tepin, the prohibitive 2-5 favorite, was in a good spot, stalking from the outside. From her position, she had a clear look at the leader, but it was from a distance. Furlong after furlong went by, and Isabella Sings was still winging out on the front end. Heading into the far turn, she still had a double-digit lead. Coming out of the far turn, she still led by more than a half a dozen lengths. Never fear, Tepin fans. With a familiar cock of her head, the daughter of Bernstein was off after Isabella Sings.
The leader kept running all the way to the wire, but it was to no avail. Tepin was just too good, and powered by to get the win by a length over the game challenger. Lovely Loyree, who had kept Tepin company early was back in third, but a full six lengths behind the winner.
“Relief,” so said Tepin’s trainer, Mark Casse after the exciting victory. “I was a little worried after the first quarter, but I’m happy. I’m always nervous. It’s funny, the distance worked in our favor today. She’s quite a horse. She can do a little bit of everything; that’s what makes her so amazing.”
Amazing indeed. She received a big challenge, and she was up to the challenge. It was the fourth straight graded stakes win for the champion, who completed the nine furlongs in a new course record time of 1:46.26. Tepin also provided a high point to what was an emotional week for Casse, who lost his father, Norman, at the beginning of the week.
As for the winning rider, he explained about how he stayed cool in the saddle. “I knew (Isabella Sings) was going fast, but when that happens, you almost have to not pay attention to the one in front,” said Leparoux. “Johnny (Velazquez) came back a little at the half-mile pole, but my horse had to fight hard today, which is good. I didn’t whip her because I could feel she was running for me. She had to have a big race to win, and she did.”
A winner of 10-of-18 lifetime, Tepin now will off to be off to bigger and better things, as she is scheduled to take on males next in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland on April 15. After passing today’s very tricky test from the talented Isabella Sings, you would have to think the champion is just about ready for anything.