Tapit had a great weekend, highlighted by SYNCHRONY and VALIANCE both claiming victories in stakes company.
Even-money favorite Synchrony rallied determinedly under Javier Castellano to notch a one-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 $178,850 King Edward Stakes at Woodbine.
A one-mile turf race for three-year-olds and upward, the King Edward attracted a field of eight and Synchrony was making his Toronto oval debut for trainer Michael Stidham.
The chestnut son of Tapit just missed in his previous start, the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes, missing all the spoils by a neck.
This time, the six-year-old wouldn’t be denied, utilizing a tremendous turn of foot to seal the triumph. Synchrony’s victory in the Grade II King Edward marks Tapit’s 10th graded stakes earner of the year. Earlier this spring, Synchrony claimed the Fair Grounds Handicap (G3).
Unbeaten Valiance continued to live up to her lofty yearling price, swinging out from a stalking trip in mid-stretch and going on to 1¼-length victory in Sunday’s $75,000 Open Mind Stakes at Monmouth Park.
A $650,000 yearling purchase, the Todd Pletcher-trained filly improved to 3-for-3 lifetime while recording her first stakes victory in an evenly-matched field of nine 3-year-old fillies.
She covered the mile and a sixteenth over a turf course labelled “good” in 1:41.84.
“Todd said it was time to give her a shot and see where she’s at,” said Anthony Sciametta, who oversees the Pletcher stable at Monmouth Park. “I thought this was a competitive race with a good field. It’s a nice win. She keeps progressing, which is what you want to see. She’s a horse that tries.
Out of Last Full Measure by Empire Maker, unraced at 2, Valiance won an allowance race on the grass in her last start at Monmouth Park. She broke her maiden on the turf in a Maiden Special Weight race at Gulfstream Park on April 13.
“I think she’s just starting to show her ability,” said jockey Nic Juarez.
Valiance earned black-type status with her win in the Open Mind Stakes, and if the rest of Tapit’s progeny are any indication, looks to have a promising career ahead of her.
Three-time leading stallion Tapit is the sire of 25 G1 stakes winners and 26 $1 million-plus yearlings. His other top runners of 2019 include Wood Memorial (G2) winner Tacitus, Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational S. (G2) winner Marconi, Marshua’s River (G3) winner Bellavais; Fasig-Tipton Hurricane Bertie S. (G3) winner Dream Pauline; Mineshaft Handicap (G3) winner Silver Dust; Betway Winter Derby S. (G3) winner Wissahickon; and impressive maiden winner Intrepid Heart, Tapit’s milestone 40th TDN Rising Star. Tapit stands for $225,000 at Gainesway.