Maiden claimer Dadtaughtmewell impresses

STICKNEY, Ill. – The 2-year-old colt Dadtaughtmewell, making his first start on dirt, won a $25,000 maiden-claiming route race Thursday at Hawthorne by more than 20 lengths, and the race looked good to speed-figure makers as well as the naked eye, with Dadtaughtmewell’s romp earning an 85 Beyer.

“That horse can run,” said trainer Jim DiVito, who owns Dadtaughtmewell, purchased as a yearling for a mere $4,500. “Keep in mind he was training on Polytrack this summer. He started working better when we got him over to Hawthorne. We knew he could run a little bit on the dirt.”

Dadtaughtmewell’s win was the kind of 2-year-old performance that catches the attention of bloodstock agents, and sure enough, DiVito said he’s had inquiries about a potential sale. For now, though, Dadtaughtmewell is joining DiVito’s 10-horse string at Tampa Bay Downs, where he’ll be pointed to a first-level allowance race.

Also at Tampa is the stakes-winning 2-year-old filly A.P.’s Glory, who ran her record to 2 for 2 by winning the Aug. 2 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies. A.P.’s Glory hasn’t raced since, but she worked Nov. 15 at Hawthorne and will breeze this week at Tampa, said DiVito, who is aiming the filly toward the Gasparilla Stakes on Dec. 27.