TAPIZAR had a newsworthy weekend headlined by his champion filly MONOMOY GIRL returning to the races a winner for her 5-year-old debut, after an eighteen month layoff.
Entered into an AOC race opening weekend at Churchill Downs, MONOMOY GIRL was expectedly the odds on favorite for conditioner Brad Cox and longtime jockey Florent Geroux. With her first outing on an off track, MONOMOY GIRL stalked two wide between horses while a bit keen from the kick-back. Met with some traffic troubles around the turn she was tipped to the three path by Geroux and took command, finishing a seemingly effortless winner by open lengths, completing the one-turn mile in 1:36.51.
Now with 10 wins and 2 seconds in 12 starts, TAPIZAR‘s MONOMOY GIRL has surpassed $3 million in earnings. The Gainesway sales grad was bred by FPF LLC & Highfield Ranch, purchased by BSW Bloodstock / Liz Crow, agent, and is owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.
The next day on the other side of the country, TAPIZAR earned his 15th graded stakes horse. Hang a Star closed quickly to finish second in the Desert Stormer S. (G3) behind multiple Grade 1 winner Bellafina. This was the first stakes start for the improving 4-year-old filly, owned by Seltzer Thoroughbreds and trained by Ian Kruljac. She was bred by Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding out of the unraced Vindication mare, Homecoming Dance, who is half to mulitple Grade 1 winner Rushing Fall.