Tapalo leads all the way in Lazaro Barrera Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Tapalo played the spoiler when he led throughout Sunday’s $98,000 Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters at Santa Anita.

Tapalo was supplemented to the seven-furlong Barrera for $2,000 when entries were taken on Thursday and paid a fast dividend with Sunday’s win. The victory was worth $60,000 for owners Hronis Racing, trainer John Sadler and jockey Hector Berrios.

The second choice in a field of four, Tapalo ($9.40) set early fractions of 22.69 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, and 45.02 for a half-mile, leading by as much as two lengths.

Tapalo extended his lead to seven lengths at the finish. He was timed in 1:21.86 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

“He’s a free-running horse,” Sadler said. “He has a lot of ability.”

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

Tapalo easily beat 2-5 Ball Don’t Lie, who was second throughout. Ball Don’t Lie was sent off as a strong favorite on the basis of an impressive maiden-race win at six furlongs in 1:08.79 on April 6 in which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

In the Barrera, Ball Don’t Lie finished 5 1/2 lengths in front of Tessuto, who was followed by Heart Headed, who is trained by Sadler for Hronis Racing. Only four were entered.

Tapalo and Tessuto finished fifth and eighth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

Sadler said Tapalo was supplemented to the Barrera after he worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 on May 4.

“He had such a good work last week,” Sadler said.

Tapalo, by Tapiture, has won 2 of 7 starts and earned $137,020. Sadler said Tapalo is likely to be shipped to New York for the $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes for statebred 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at the Belmont at Saratoga meeting on June 9.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.