Tap to It eyes Spinaway Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Ralph Nicks said he was leaning toward running his impressive debut winner Tap to It in the Grade 1 Spinaway after sending her out to work four furlongs in 47.60 seconds under jockey Joel Rosario on Saturday.

Tap to It, a daughter of Tapit, won at first asking Aug. 16 despite an extremely eventful trip that began with a slow start and included a few traffic stops along the way.

“We’ll see how she is this week, but she breezed great, cooled out great, and all signs are pointing in that direction,” Nicks said when asked if next Saturday’s Spinaway would be next for Tap to It.

Nicks acknowledged that it’s a big step up from a maiden win to a Grade 1 race but said his filly received several races’ worth of education in her debut.

“To do something like she did, race in traffic, take all the dirt, go inside and outside, and still win was extremely impressive and a great education for her,” said Nicks. “She’s got a great mind, which is also a big plus when taking a step like this.”

Nicks said that although Tap to It did not leave the gate alertly in her debut, he felt she’s not the type of filly who would be as affected by that type of break because of her running style.

“She’s never broken real fast in the morning,” said Nicks. “In fact, the way she broke in the race is probably the best she’s broken for me since I’ve had her. But she’s not a speedball type; she’s going to be outfooted early no matter what, so as long as she just comes away clean with the field, we’ll be fine.”

Also working Saturday for the Spinaway were Rachel’s Valentina and Tonasah, who went a half-mile in company for trainer Todd Pletcher. Rachel’s Valentina started two lengths behind Tonasah and ended up on even terms at the wire, going in 48.88 seconds. Tonasah went in 49.18.

Rachel’s Valentina, the second foal out of champion filly Rachel Alexandra, won her debut by two lengths Aug. 2.

“Trains great, very professional, straightforward, push-button kind of horse,” Pletcher said. “Was happy enough to sit off of Tonasah early and finish strong and galloped out really well. I’m really happy with her.”

Pletcher said he saw enough from Tonasah to suggest to her owner, the StarLadies Racing syndicate, to run in the Spinaway, which means she would be running back 20 days after her second-place finish in the Grade 2 Adirondack.

“We had talked about if Tonasah had worked well, we were going to consider the Spinaway, and I think she worked well enough to consider it,” Pletcher said. “Generally, they like to participate.”

Also pointing to the Spinaway are Anna Rae, Banree, Big Thrill, and Constellation.

– additional reporting by David Grening