Super sire Tapit had a big day at Belmont Park June 8 when he was represented by one G2 winner and two other offspring that placed in G1 events.
The stallion notched his ninth graded stakes victory of 2019 when his son Marconi captured the G2 Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational Stakes in wire-to-wire fashion. The 4-year-old colt, who fetched $2 million at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale, prevailed by a half-length in the 1 ½-mile dirt contest, completing the distance in 2:28.97.
The Brooklyn Invitational was a first graded stakes triumph for Marconi, who recorded his third stakes victory in a row. He previously scored in Gulfstream Park’s Skip Away on March 29 and the Flat Out on May 9 at Belmont Park.
“It seems like he’s really found his niche,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s gradually improving and been a lot more consistent in not only his races, but also training. I was happy to see him continue moving forward. The plan wasn’t to be on the front, but we wanted him to be in the race. Especially from the one-hole, I didn’t want him to be shuffled back and over complicate things for him. Once (jockey) Jose (Lezcano) was able to establish that spot, the fractions were very reasonable. He kept finding a way to get it done.”
Pletcher said the G2 Suburban on July 6 is a possibility for Marconi’s next start.
“From here, we’ll consider going a mile and a quarter in the Suburban. A prestigious race like that would mean a lot for him,” Pletcher said.
The Brooklyn was the fourth victory in nine career starts for Marconi, who brought up his lifetime earnings to $424,702 after cashing $220,000 from the June 8 win.
Owned by Bridlewood Farm, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, Marconi was bred in Kentucky by Brushwood Stable. He is out of the Ponche broodmare Ponche de Leona who also produced 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man.
Tapit was also represented on Belmont Stakes day by Nitrous, who finished a close second to Hog Creek Hustle in the G1 Woody Stephens Stakes; and Tacitus, who rallied from off the pace for a respectable runner-up finish in the G1 Belmont Stakes.
America’s most dominant sire, Tapit has sired 25 G1 winners and earners of more than $143 million at the track. This year, his 2-year-olds have brought up to $2 million at auction. Tapit stands for $225,000 at Gainesway.