Untapable tries to regain her stroke in Fleur de Lis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A basketball coach will often tell a cold shooter to regain his confidence by taking an easy shot. Essentially, trainer Steve Asmussen has lined up an easy shot for Untapable, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2014 who has gone just 1 for 8 in 2015-16.

She runs Saturday night at Churchill Downs in the Grade 2, $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap, a race that for a mare of her qualifications is the basketball equivalent of a layup. A mere five rivals face her, and only two, Ahh Chocolate and Brooklynsway, have won a stakes.

As if the relatively unaccomplished company is not advantage enough, Untapable is also competing on her home court, Churchill Downs, where she has trained for much of her career and is perfect in three starts, including a victory in the 2014 Kentucky Oaks.

Toss in a shortage of speed, which should have Untapable either setting or pressing a soft pace, and it is apparent that the Fleur de Lis should prove a telling race. Either Untapable gets back in a winning groove, or it becomes clear that her best days are behind her.

Obviously, Asmussen is hoping for the former.

“Winning is the only cure,” he said of her struggles over the past year and a half.

Untapable, a $3.9 million-earning daughter of Tapit owned by breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds, is 7-5 on the morning line but seems more likely to start at 3-5. Florent Geroux, who rode her to a second in the Azeri and a fourth in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn earlier in the year, returns in the irons.

Her chief adversary in the Fleur de Lis, a Win and a You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, is Ahh Chocolate, the winner of the Grade 3 duPont Distaff at Pimlico on May 20 and another filly with an affinity for Churchill Downs. She has two wins and a second in three starts at Churchill, with her highlight local victory being the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap last fall.

The remainder of the field is Engaginglee, Paid Up Subscriber, and Big Book.

Key Contenders

Untapable, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 94-88-98

◗ Although her fourth in the Apple Blossom last out April 15 left her connections and backers disappointed, she still earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, which exceeds the career-best figure of all of these rivals.

Ahh Chocolate, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-86

◗ With two of her three rivals inside her being front-runners and the other a deep closer, she ought to be able to tuck in right behind Untapable and Paid Up Subscriber, leaving her within striking distance even if a slow pace develops.

Brooklynsway, by Giant Gizmo

Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-90

◗ Upset winner of the Doubledogdare at Keeneland this spring, she is likely to be more forwardly placed in the Fleur de Lis than in the Arlington Matron on May 28, when she stumbled at the start and fell farther off the pace than usual before rallying for third.