07/31/2012 4:08PM

Delaware Park: Tara From the Cape looking to follow up debut victory

By John McDulin
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Tara From the Cape will try to remain undefeated while making her second lifetime start in the $50,000 Thomas Greene Memorial at Delaware Park on Thursday.

Todd Pletcher now trains Tara From the Cape, a winner at first asking June 9 over Polytrack at Woodbine for then-trainer Ricky Griffith. Tara From the Cape won her maiden debut by four widening lengths going 4 1/2 furlongs. Tara From the Cape is a 2-year-old daughter of 2005 male turf champion Leroidesanimaux, suggesting she should enjoy the move to the grass for the 7 1/2-furlong Greene Memorial. Joe Bravo will ride.

Because it is so early in the season, Thursday’s race will be the first time that any of the eight 2-year-old fillies in the field try to go two turns, Only one entrant, Brook’s Secret, has previously raced on the turf.

Political Pupil is one of four entrants who won at first asking, scoring from just off the pace at Delaware on July 9. In that five-furlong event, Political Pupil was a few lengths off the pace early before rallying to win by a length and a quarter, earning a race-high Beyer Speed Figure of 59. Trainer John Rigattieri will treat Political Pupil with Lasix for the first time in the Greene Memorial. She will be ridden by Able Castellano Jr.

Atlantis Moon also won at first asking, leading from gate to wire at Delaware Park on June 17 to win by five widening lengths ridden out. Trained by Tony Dutrow, Atlantis Moon was sent off at 3-5 in her maiden debut and has been working well for this race. Atlantis Moon, a daughter of Malibu Moon, was a $150,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase. She will be first-time Lasix Thursday.

Touring Hong Kong is the final filly to have won her maiden first time out. Trained by Gary Capuano, Touring Hong Kong won at Delaware Park on May 30 going 4 1/2 furlongs. In her last out July 4, Touring Hong Kong finished fourth in the $50,000 White Clay Creek overnight stakes at Delaware, but may have bled, as she will also be getting Lasix for the first time.