Tapizar was represented by another graded stakes-winning race mare when his daughter Honey Bunny rallied to capture the G3 Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 25.
It was the fifth straight score for the 5-year-old mare, who prevailed by 1 ½ lengths in the six-furlong contest. She completed the distance in 1:09.99 under jockey Tyler Baze.
“She is such a classy mare,” Baze said. “She came into this race in great shape by (trainer) John (Ortiz) and his team. She simply knows how to find the winner’s circle. It really doesn’t matter what level of competition. We sort of let the speed go today and it set up perfect for us to close late.”
Honey Bunny is owned by Hooties Racing, WSS Racing and 4G Racing. She improved her record to 14-5-4 in 31 starts, for earnings of $417,145. She was claimed by her connections for $16,000 last April at Oaklawn Park. Since then she’s won eight of 14 starts and earned $238,550, including last year’s $50,000 Prairie Rose at Prairie Meadows and Saturday’s Winning Colors.
“It’s so thrilling to win this stakes race for these owners,” Ortiz said. “When we claimed her we thought she would be pretty special. Now five wins in a row, and this one in the Winning Colors, really proved she’s the real deal. This is a huge win for our stable.”
Tapizar is the sire of 151 winners, 15 stakes horses, six stakes winners, nine graded stakes winners, and has more than $12 million in progeny earnings. Among his other top runners is champion 3-year-old filly Monomoy Girl, winner of the 2018 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Tapizar stands for $10,000 at Gainesway.