TAPIT’s Matera Wins Second Consecutive Stakes In Groupie Doll

TAPIT’s Matera kept her 2021 record spotless on Sunday with a second straight stakes victory in the Listed Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park.

Racing over a mile on the dirt, the 4-year-old filly broke from the widest gate and immediately raced up to challenge for the lead under Florent Geroux. Geroux was able to get the keen running filly to sit with her head just behind Lady Kate as she poured on the pressure around the track.

Lady Kate wasn’t giving in and the pair entered a memorable stretch duel with neither willing to give an inch. Matera got her nose in front as they passed the sixteenth pole and Lady Kate gave in from there with Matera starting to pull away in the end. She crossed the line a neck in front with the third place runner three lengths behind the pair at the end.

Trained by Brad Cox for Don Alberto Stable, Matera has won all three of her 2021 races and has four wins in seven starts overall. Bred by Albaugh Family Stable, the victory took her earnings to $225,190.

Matera was a $1.4 million yearling purchase by Don Alberto from the Taylor Made consignment at Keeneland September. Out of Grade 3 winner Miss Macy Sue, the 4-year-old is a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Liam’s Map, Grade 3 winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) second Not This Time, and stakes winner Taylor S. Another one of her sisters is also the dam of Grade 2-placed Virginia Eloise.

Matera is the third stakes winner of the month for TAPIT, who has also had another strong month in the sales ring with the highest average of any stallion with two or more sold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale last week.