Leading sire Tapit got two new 2-year-old maiden winners Oct. 2, and both were homebreds making their career debuts for prominent racing stables.
In a 6½-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred colt Totality came from off the pace and took command in midstretch, crossing the wire 1½ lengths in front (VIDEO). Trained by Steve Asmussen, Totality is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Jackpot Joanie, who is a half-sister to Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Summerly. Totality’s full-sister Taxable was runner-up in last year’s Fantasy Stakes (G3).
At Santa Anita, Tapit’s daughter Tapped won a six-furlong maiden special weight for owner/breeder LNJ Foxwoods and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Breaking from the far outside post in the field of 10, Tapped was unhurried early but unleashed a big kick in the stretch to get up at the wire, winning by a nose (VIDEO). Tapped was produced from the Speightstown mare Gemswick Park, winner of the Old Hat S. (G3) and placed in the Frizette S. (G1).
Also on Sunday, Tapit’s 5-year-old son Scuba followed up his Sept. 5 victory in the Greenwood Cup S. (G3) with a dominant win in Belmont Park’s $200,000 Temperence Hill Invitational S. at 1⅝ miles. Forwardly placed throughout, Scuba drew off in the stretch to win by three lengths while geared down at the wire (VIDEO).