Alicia Wincze is the turf writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
Tapitsfly surges to victory in Juvenile Fillies Turf
Posted by Alicia Wincze on November 6, 2009
The Dale Romans-trained Tapitsfly challenged pacesetter Rose Catherine with a half mile to go and outlasted her rival through the stretch drive to win the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf by half a length over one mile in a time of 1:34.25.
With Robby Albarado up, Tapitsfly mounted her charge on the outside but found Rose Catherine still stubborn after setting fractions of :22.95 and :47.02 in the early going. The gray daughter of Tapit kept kicking on, however, to give Romans his first win in a Breeders’ Cup race.
“I just wanted to clear most of them into the first turn so I wouldn’t get packed out too wide,” Albarado said. “She’s awful quick leaving the gate. She got herself into position and the first time I pressed, she went on.”
House of Grace was third while 3-to-2 favorite Lillie Langtry finished eighth.
“I had a bit of a bump turning into the straight,” said Johnny Murtagh, jockey for Lillie Langtry. “About halfway down the straight I got pushed out a bit, but I think I was done at the time. I’m not sure if she handled the course. She didn’t turn well. She’s a big rangy filly.”
Owned and bred by Frank Jones, Tapitsfly was second in the Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont on October 4 after earning a 1 1/4-length triumph over 1 1/16-miles on the turf at Saratoga on September 3. She now improves her record to three wins from seven career starts.
“No one deserves to win a race like this more than (owner) Mr. Jones. He’s been in the business a long time and has had horses for over 30 years,” Romans said. “My father (Jerry Romans) trained for him before me. It’s just a great win for him and for me too. I thought we had a great trip. I thought that if she got her nose in front, she wouldn’t stop. That other filly (Rose Catherine) ran a great race, but my filly hung on.”
