Tapitry gets class relief in optional claimer
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – It was a struggle to fill entries for Thursday’s program at Aqueduct, and the eight-race card is topped by a $67,000 first-level optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Tapitry, a daughter of Tapit, drops back into allowance company following a fourth-place finish behind Sentiero Italia in the Grade 2 Sands Point Stakes on Sept. 12 at Belmont Park.
“She wasn’t going to beat the winner that day, but she might have been second,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “I think she might be a pretty nice filly.”
Prior to the Sands Point, Tapitry twice finished second for this condition, including a nose loss to My Sweet Girl on Aug. 24 at Saratoga.
There does not appear to be a lot of speed in this field, which could make Rock Me Again dangerous. Rock Me Again, trained by Todd Pletcher, is cutting back to a distance at which she recorded her only win in a maiden $75,000 claiming race in May at Belmont. She is the only member of this field entered for the $80,000 optional-claiming price Thursday.
Key contenders
Tapitry (Last 3 Beyers: 88-85-80)
* Following her fourth-place finish in the Sands Point, McGaughey was planning to run her in the Grade 3 Valley View Stakes at Keeneland, but the filly was excluded from the race when it overfilled.
“She’s doing awfully well,” McGaughey said. “It’s all about how she gets ridden.”
* McGaughey said he would like to see Tapitry get taken back and make one run. Joel Rosario rides from post 2.
Rock Me Again (Last 3 Beyers: 73-85-73)
* Two starts back, going 1 3/16 miles in the final race of the Saratoga meet, she made all the pace, only to get run down late by Kitzys Rocket, who was making a repeat trip to the winner’s circle.
* Could own a tactical advantage as the primary speed under Luis Saez.
Gigi’s Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 74-83-55)
* Wheels back just two weeks after a disappointing sixth-place finish for this condition at Belmont.
* She finished second after attending a modest pace in a maiden special weight in July at Belmont, a race that puts her in the mix with these.
Runner Runner (Last 2 Beyers: 80-81)
* Irish-bred filly was a decent third in her North American debut going 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga but finished fourth as the favorite in a slow-paced allowance going 1 1/4 miles.
* Would probably prefer a faster pace than she figures to get in this spot.