Untapable wraps up Mother Goose preparation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Untapable had her final work leading into Saturday's Mother Goose Stakes, breezing a half-mile in 49.60 seconds at Churchill Downs early Monday. She is scheduled to be flown to New York the following morning for the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose, a 1 1/16-mile one-turn race at Belmont Park.

On a humid morning over a fast track and with exercise rider Angel Garcia up, Untapable went without company in splits of 13.20 and 25.40 seconds, with a five-furlong out time of 1:03, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols.

Untapable, bred and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, will be a heavy favorite in the Mother Goose.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said he is extremely pleased with how Untapable has trained in recent weeks.

“She’s a tremendous talent, and she shows it in her training,” said Asmussen.

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will be the rider of Untapable, a 4 1/2-length winner of the May 2 Kentucky Oaks in her last start. The mount came open after the filly’s regular jockey, Rosie Napravnik, suffered a mildly separated shoulder in a training accident here June 15. Napravnik has been aboard Untapable for all but one of her seven career starts, including the Oaks.

Untapable, by Tapit, has emerged as the undisputed leader of the 3-year-old filly division in North America. After the Mother Goose, Asmussen has set a tentative race schedule of Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama, and Cotillion leading up to the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita.

Mother Goose entries will be taken and drawn Wednesday.

Asmussen said Untapable will remain at Belmont with his assistant Toby Sheets for a brief period following the Mother Goose before shipping with other horses in the stable to Saratoga.