Untapable Wins Mother Goose Stakes, Heads to Saratoga

Untapable Wins Mother Goose Stakes, Heads to Saratoga: Untapable and jockey John Velazquez won the G1 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park today (Saturday, June 28, 2014) in Elmont, New York for trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Ron Winchell (watch replay below). The $300,000 1 1/16 miles on dirt for three-year-olds was an exciting one as Untapable “unleashed a devastating rally” and beat the field by 9 ¼ lengths. Shortly after Untapable crossed the Mother Goose Stakes finish line first, trainer Steve Asmussen reported he might consider sending the filly out against the colts at Saratoga.

Untapable is undefeated in 2014 so far with four straight wins after today’s Mother Goose victory. Last out, Untapable won the 2014 Kentucky Oaks with regular rider Rosie Napravnik, who is currently recovering from an injury the jockey sustained on Untapable while training on June 15th.

Trainer Steve Asmussen was happy with Untapable’s performance saying, “I’m very pleased with her race today. I loved how quiet she was pre-race and in the paddock. She turned off right after a little trouble at the start and was pretty relaxed. She picked it up when she needed to and appeared to be looking around quite a bit in the stretch, but it was her first time at Belmont. All of her previous victories had been where she was training, so I think that this was a pretty good step. I think she’s a very special filly.”

Steve Asmussen added, “There’s definitely the thought of running her against the boys. I think that this was a very good obstacle for her, as far as shipping and running, because of how bad her Breeders’ Cup was. Maturity, time, confidence, how she acted pre-race in the paddock today, all of those are steps in the right direction, and it will be an interesting conversation with Ron Winchell [Untapable’s owner] after today’s win. She’ll ship up to Saratoga to train on Monday. The Coaching Club American Oaks is a very lucrative race that is there, but I don’t want to speak for Ron at this point. We’re aware that the Haskell is there and the timing is excellent. It’s nice to have a horse like her because you can consider races as good as these.”

Jockey John Velazquez was confident in Untapable from the start saying, “”She’s been inside before. The only concern I had was that another horse went left leaving the chute. I didn’t hesitate at all. I got her out of there. After that, it was pretty easy. I put her into the clear, she settled really well, and it was a nice ride. I just kind of put my hands down and I was confident I could give her the opportunity she needed.”

Untapable dominated the 2014 Mother Goose Stakes in a total time of 1:41.48. It will be interesting to see if trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Ron Winchell really put Untapable up against the boys.

Mother Goose Stakes Results & Payouts:
2 Untapable and John R. Velazquez $2.10 to Win, $2.10 to Place
3 Princess Violet and Jose L. Ortiz $3.70 to Place
4 America and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Also ran: 1 – House Rules , 5 – Aqua Regia
Scratched horses: Stopchargingmaria (Trainer)

2014 Mother Goose Stakes Replay: