Law Professor's Tapit score makes Atras 1 for 1 at Kentucky Downs

Law Professor taught the opposition a lesson when pulling a 9-1 upset of the $394,000 Tapit Stakes as Kentucky Downs opened its seven-day boutique meet Thursday with a 10-race card conducted amid ideal late-summer weather.

Under a patient ride from Julien Leparoux, Law Professor gave his New York-based trainer, Rob Atras, a stakes victory with his first-ever starter at turf-only Kentucky Downs in south-central Kentucky. Saving ground while closely attending a hot pace, Leparoux deftly moved around a tiring front-runner and back to the inner rail before persisting down the long stretch to win by a half-length over Spanish Kingdom.

“He traveled very nice, which is something you need on this track,” said Leparoux, back on familiar ground following a solid summer at Saratoga. “I found a spot to get going in the stretch and he went all the way to the wire. He won very nicely today.”

Said Atras: “It was incredible. I couldn’t believe it. I never expected to win first time at that track.”

The Tapit, run at a mile and 70 yards over firm turf, was restricted to horses who had not yet won an open stakes in 2022. Law Professor, a 4-year-old Constitution gelding previously based in California, was making his first start in nearly five months and his first since being turned over to Atras.

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Law Professor was bred in Kentucky by his owner, the Twin Creeks Racing of Randy and Kim Gullatt. He finished in 1:38.10 before returning $21.10 for a $2 win bet on the first day for penny breakage at Kentucky Downs. Penny breakage became state law for all Kentucky tracks in early July.

Spanish Kingdom, sent away at 15-1 after drawing in off the also-eligibles list, held well for second under Gerardo Corrales. He was followed by 34-1 shot Shadow Sphinx in third and Floriform in fourth, while In Love, the 2-1 favorite in a field of 11 older horses, could do no better than fifth.

Law Professor earned $237,800 with his fourth win from 11 overall starts, nearly doubling his bankroll to $516,440.

The $2 exacta (9-13) paid $383.30, the $1 trifecta (9-13-7) returned $3,616.72, and the 10-cent superfecta (9-13-7-6) was worth $1,755.75.

After a dark Friday, Kentucky Downs will run Saturday and Sunday. The meet continues through Sept. 14.

Maker and Gaffalione start hot

Mike Maker, by far the all-time leading trainer in track history, began the meet with a hot hand by winning three of the first six races. Maker won the second race with Hawk of War ($7.48), the fourth with Mendel’s Secret ($16.06), and the sixth with Wicked Genius ($7.74).

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Tyler Gaffalione rode the first two Maker winners after taking the meet opener for Wesley Ward on Carnaby Street ($4.90). Gaffalione, easily the leading rider at the Churchill Downs spring meet, won his lone Kentucky Downs title in 2020.

* Max K. O. ($18.42), with Edgard Zayas riding for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., won one of the four allowances on the day when rallying from just off the pace in race 7. The Florida-bred 6-year-old was ineligible for the winner’s share of $85,000 in Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund bonuses when earning $57,000 with his 10th career win. A purse that could have maxed out at $186,120 instead was worth $130,870 because of his ineligibility.

Zayas and Joseph later teamed to win the race-10 nightcap with Axthelm ($16.38), a 3-year-old Into Mischief colt named for the late sportswriter and author, Pete Axthelm, who had a great affinity for horse racing.

* With a temporary inner rail set well out onto the course, all 10 winners on opening day broke from post 5 or farther outside – for whatever that’s worth. Rail settings will change depending on the date.