Walsh eyes another big meet; starts with Irish Aces in Tapit Stakes

Brendan Walsh targets the Kentucky Downs meeting. He hit the mark during the 2023 season with eight winners, three more than any other trainer, and Walsh wastes no time getting back into heavy action this year. He has entrants in six Thursday’s races, including live contender Irish Aces in the featured $500,000 Tapit Stakes.

The Tapit drew an overflow field, a dozen in the main body and three on the also-eligible list. At least one of those also-eligibles will get a chance to run if 9-5 morning-line favorite Funtastic Again is scratched. His trainer, Wesley Ward, said Monday he planned on Tuesday to enter Funtastic Again in the Sept. 1 Tight Spot, at least to take a look at the race, and also is considering the $2 million Mint Millions on Sept. 7.

The Tapit, carded for a mile and 70 yards, is restricted to horses who haven’t won a stakes during 2024. Irish Aces, the mount of Tyler Gaffalione, hasn’t won at all this year. He enters Thursday’s contest 0-0-2 from four starts, though that alone is no reason to oppose him. Irish Aces was beaten a half-length last out in a second-level Saratoga allowance. With better luck, he wins.

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“If he had a clear run, he’s probably the best horse,” Walsh said.

Irish Aces, in that July 13 outing, raced in traffic much of the homestretch, with eventual second-place finisher Tidal Force closing outside him and hemming in Irish Aces past the furlong grounds. Switched off heels, Irish Aces got outside and into the clear and surged, and while the chart comment reads “mild kick,” the gelding finished fastest, missed second by a whisker, and galloped out in front. Just a 4-year-old with nine starts, the horse has upside.