Tesoro became the 13th winner for TAPIT’S ANCHOR DOWN on Friday in a Maiden Special Weight at Golden Gate Fields.
Racing over a mile, Tesoro broke well and raced in second as the leader opened a few lengths on the field. Down the backstretch, the field closed that gap and Tesoro raced just a length behind what had turned into a duel for the lead.
Tesoro was done with the games as they rounded the far turn and joined the duel, sticking his neck in front. Tesoro had a battle on his hands with the long-time leader but Tesoro started pulling away in the final sixteenth to win by 1 ¼ lengths after trying stakes company for the first time last out.
Bred by Gainesway, the colt is owned by Glen Road Racing, Highland Yard, Ben Raygoza, and Arthur Spencer, with trainer O. J. Jauregui buying the colt for $75,000 as a 2-year-old last year at OBS.
Tesoro is the first foal out of a half-sister to four time Grade 1 winner Tiz The Law and TAPIT‘s stakes-placed Awestruck. The colt is closely related to both horses with Tiz The Law also by a TAPIT son, just like Tesoro.
Tesoro’s second dam is the Grade 2 winner Tizfit, who is a full sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Fury Kapcori. The family also includes Horse of the Year Favorite Trick and Grade 1 winner Moonshine Memories.
Tesoro has a 2-year-old full brother named Sirdin and a yearling three-quarter sister by TAPWRIT.
ANCHOR DOWN continues to impress with his first crop producing 52% winners, led by three stakes horses from 25 runners.