Untapable begins season in Azeri Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Untapable’s value is through the roof as a champion who has won the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She could have easily been retired after last year, counting her $3.8 million in career earnings and heading off to the breeding shed.
But that’s not the path Winchell Thoroughbreds decided to take with its homebred, so on Saturday, the 5-year-old will start her season in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri at Oaklawn Park. Ron Winchell would love to see it be the beginning of a campaign in which Untapable finds herself in a position to bid for a second straight Apple Blossom Handicap win and another BC Distaff victory.
“When you have a horse of that caliber and you send them to the breeding shed, basically, you’re trying to duplicate what you already have,” Winchell said. “Part of [keeping her in training was], ‘We already have it. Why try to duplicate it?’ Let’s run one more year.’ ”
Untapable is part of an eight-horse field for the Azeri that includes Grade 2 winners Sarah Sis and High Dollar Woman, Grade 3 winner Call Pat, and Southern California shipper Kyriaki. The race is the first of three stakes on the card, the others being the Grade 2 Rebel and the Grade 3 Razorback.
Azeri (Race 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
Untapable, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 98-96-93
◗ Untapable’s return for another season is a testament to the durability of the horses bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds, according to Steve Asmussen, the trainer of the mare who has won graded stakes at 2, 3, and 4.
“I think they’re program is very tried and true,” Asmussen said, “and I think the option of running her into her 5-year-old year is a reflection of their broodmare band and how they raise their horses.”
◗ Untapable will be making her first start since Oct. 4, when she was second by a neck in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland. It was to have been her springboard to the BC Distaff, but she spiked a temperature in advance of the championship and had to miss the race, according to Winchell.
“Some of [keeping her in training] was we felt like there was a little unfinished business,” Winchell said. “If we would have had a chance at the Breeders’ Cup, maybe we would have felt a little different. Knowing this year’s Breeders’ Cup will be at the place she’s already seen success, that came into play.”
◗ Untapable, whose BC Distaff win in 2014 was at Santa Anita, has prepped for the Azeri with a series of works at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn.
“I feel great about the condition she is in and how she is coming into her 5-year-old year,” Asmussen said. “I think she’s looked absolutely beautiful.”
◗ Florent Geroux has the mount from post 7.
Call Pat, by Lawyer Ron
Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-88
◗ She has used her serious closing kick to win a pair of Grade 3 races over the past few months, the Bayakoa at Oaklawn and the Groupie Doll at Ellis Park.
◗ Joe Rocco Jr. has the mount for trainer Brad Cox.
Kyriaki, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 90-54-87
◗ She was fourth last out in the Grade 2 Santa Maria at Santa Anita, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Tara’s Tango.