Go Maggie Go big asset for Tarp

After 14 years and many missed targets, Mike Tarp’s investment in Magibel is finally paying off, thanks to the talented Go Maggie Go.

In 2002, Tarp purchased Magibel, by Tale of the Cat, for $260,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Florida select 2-year-olds in training sale. She quietly went winless in five starts before he retired her to broodmare duties in Kentucky. She has produced five winners from six starters; all began their careers as homebreds for Tarp, but he lost most through the claim box. The most painful claim was Wallyanna, a son of Langfuhr, who was picked up in his second start in a $35,000 maiden claimer. New owner Tim E. O’Donohue Racing Stables and trainer Michael Pino campaigned him to wins in the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes and the listed James W. Murphy Stakes.

Tarp subsequently held on to Go Maggie Go, by Ghostzapper. She won her debut at Gulfstream Park by four lengths, then moved on to win the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks by a front-running 2 1/4 lengths. She came into Pimlico after a trouble-ridden fourth in the Kentucky Oaks and affirmed her rising star status by winning the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.