Keeneland: Tapitsfly shows new talent winning First Lady

Keeneland/Coady Photography

Tapitsfly, with Jose Lezcano riding, wins the First Lady.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Tapitsfly might have been typecast as a speed horse for much of her career, but her come-from-behind victory in the $350,000 First Lady at Keeneland on Saturday may help to change that.

"This proves she's not one-dimensional," an elated Dale Romans said after watching Tapitsfly wear down Daisy Devine in the 15th running of the Grade 1 turf fixture. "We've always known she's got class. This was a big one for us."

With Jose Lezcano aboard, Tapitsfly rated kindly in fourth place for much of the one-mile journey while Summer Soiree set the pace, followed closest by Daisy Devine.

Turning for home, Daisy Devine took over while drifting wide well out onto the course, and it was all Lezcano could do to urge Tapitsfly, even wider, past her in the final 70 yards. The final margin was a half-length, with Hungry Island, the 7-5 favorite in a field of six fillies and mares, another 3 1/2 lengths back. Then came Summer Soiree, Brilliant Future, and Snow Fall.

"She settled in good," said Lezcano. "When I asked her, she kicked in really good."

Tapitsfly returned $7.60 as second choice after finishing in 1:35.44 over a firm course.

Romans trains Tapitsfly for his longtime client and friend, Louisville businessman Frank Jones Jr.  Perhaps still best known for winning the 2009 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita at 2, Tapitsfly now has won a total of five stakes from 24 overall starts, including a wire-to-wire triumph in the Grade 1 Just a Game on the 2012 Belmont Stakes undercard.

Tapitsfly, a homebred by Tapit, earned $210,000, lifting her bankroll to $1,495,203. Romans said he and Jones probably are leaning against running her in the Breeders' Cup because the Filly and Mare Turf is "maybe too far" at 1 1/4 miles, adding they are "hesitant" to run her against male rivals in the BC Mile.

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The $2 exacta (2-6) paid $35.60; the $1 trifecta (2-6-4) returned $31.70; and the 10-cent superfecta (2-6-4-5) was worth just $5.98.