Untapable, Tapiture Get Back to Work

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ talented duo of newly crowned champion 3-year-old filly Untapable and multiple graded stakes-winning Tapiture had their first works of the season on Monday morning. Both trained by Steve Asmussen, who was looking on from horseback at the clocking stand, the talented homebred duo breezed half-miles.

Untapable, a four-time Grade I-winning earner of nearly $3 million – including the Grade I $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Distaff – worked slightly quicker than her fellow Tapit offspring in :51.80. Tapiture, a winner of four graded stakes and runner-up in the Grade I $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, worked his four furlongs in :52.20.

“They worked very well,” said Winchell racing manager David Fiske. “‘Fantastic’ might have been the adjective I heard (from Asmussen). They both went very easily and were traveling great. Everyone is pretty pleased. We’ll get them fit and see how long that takes and start looking for spots.”

ISTANFORD POSSIBLE FOR BAYOU

The loaded turf filly contingent in the Mike Stidham barn may have one more possible for the $60,000 Bayou Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Feb. 21 – and it is the most accomplished turf filly in his shedrow. Already expected to have Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s recent $60,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial winner Notte d’Oro and third-place finisher Pin Oak Stable’s Hung the Moon, the Bayou could also feature the 2015 unveiling of Ike and Dawn Thrash and Sam and Janet Alley’s multiple graded stakes-winning 4-year-old filly Istanford.

According to Stidham, the plan is to nominate to the Bayou and take a look at how it shapes up for the winner of both the Grade III $150,000 Arlington Classic (against the boys) at Arlington International Racecourse and Grade II $200,000 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar. 

Since returning to training, the dark bay daughter of Istan has impressed clockers in the morning with two bullet works in the last two weeks – a half-mile in :47.80 on Jan. 17 and a five-furlong move in 1:01.20 on Jan. 24. The Florida-bred has been off from the races since a disappointing last-place finish in the Grade I $400,000 First Lady Stakes behind subsequent Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Dayatthespa.

Source: Fair Grounds Barn Notes