Souper Tapit runs to his odds, winning Sunshine Millions Classic

Souper Tapit ran to his 3-2 odds in the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, Saturday’s feature race for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park. The victory gave the Live Oak Plantation homebred back-to-back victories at the South Florida track.

The Mark Casse trainee broke his winless streak last month in allowance optional claiming after placing in six consecutive races. The Sunshine Millions Classic marks the second stakes victory for Souper Tapit, who won the Marine Stakes (G3) over Woodbine's Tapeta surface in May 2017.

Assistant Nick Tomlinson was at Gulfstream to oversee Souper Tapit's race.

“He was ultra-consistent last year and we were able to get a win at the end of the year, which was great,” Tomlinson said. “The timing for this race couldn’t have been better. He trained great up to the race. The result showed today.”

Souper Tapit broke widest in the field of eight and received a patient ride from jockey John Velazquez. Last year's winner Jay's Way was to his left and broke on top, setting opening fractions in 24.17 and 47.68. Dalmore was battling for a position near the front but had to check without enough room to sneak up the rail ahead of Jay's Way, giving Weisser the second position. Souper Tapit was able to settle in fourth after fanning four wide into the first turn. 

With a clear run on the outside, Velazquez asked Souper Tapit to go when approaching the turn for home. The favorite was at an advantage to tackle Jay's Way from the clear, while Dalmore had to wait for Weisser to fade and Souper Tapit to pass before he could make a move. 

Jay's Way held on long enough to secure three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.84, but Souper Tapit forged ahead to his outside. Dalmore made a bid three-wide down the stretch and Jay's Way was a stubborn foe on the rail, but Souper Tapit never let them pull back ahead. 

He crossed the wire half a length in front, wrapping up the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.62.

Jay’s Way held for second over Dalmore.

“I was where I wanted to be,” Velazquez said. “I was hoping someone would go with Irad (Ortiz Jr. on Dalmore), when I took back, the other horse (Jay’s Way) got in front of him. I said, ‘Here’s my chance to beat him.’ I just tried to bide my time and keep him trapped where he was. That’s how we won the race.” 

Tomlinson credited Valezquez with the timely ride aboard Souper Tapit.

“Johnny’s great. He’s the best in the business,” he said. “I was messing with Johnny in the paddock and said, ‘Mark gave me a bunch of instructions for you.’ He looked at me and said, ‘Let me guess. Nothing?’ I said, ‘Exactly.’” 

The Sunshine Millions Classic improved Souper Tapit's overall record to 15:4-3-4 and pushed his earnings to $311,443.