Tapiture on the Rise after a Win in the West Virginia Derby

Tapiture on the Rise after a Win in the West Virginia Derby: Tapiture captured the West Virginia Derby (G2) after a very good Matt Winn (G3) score last time out. The win was probably the best one I had seen today. That nose victory was heart stopping. This Grade 2 win was nearly a heart attack for his fans and connections. Tapiture isn’t the most consistent horse in this crop, but he is a graded stakes winner, and for good reasons. He broke his maiden in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last season, then this year, romped in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn. All his wins, before today, had come at Churchill and Oaklawn. After today, I am sure Asmussen will be pointing him towards a grade one race.

What I am worried about is who has Tapiture really beaten? He beat Commissioner in the Arkansas Derby, but Commissioner isn’t the best horse of the crop, by far. He also beat Ride on Curlin in the Southwest and the Rebel stakes, but again, Ride on Curlin hasn’t done much either. Candy Boy is Tapiture’s latest victim, but Candy Boy isn’t the best horse of the crop either. When I see Tapiture make a fool of California Chrome, Wicked Strong, and Shared Belief, I will say this horse is grade one quality, but he very well could be! He is on the right path to becoming the next grade one winner of his crop.

Tapiture has some awesome breeding, being by hot sire Tapit. Out of an Olympio mare, this colt could turn out to be a fantastic 9f horse, who may be best at 8.5f. All his wins before today have come at 8.5f.

The win in the West Virginia bumped Tapiture up to join the millionaires of the sport. His bankroll is now $1,014,060, with his record now 10:4(4)-2-2.

Order of Finish, West Virginia Derby, 8/2/2014
Tapiture ($5.60/$2.60/$2.20)
Candy Boy ($2.60/$2.20)
Vicar’s In Trouble ($2.80)
Classic Giacnroll
For Goodness Sake
Divine View
Key for Success
Only I Know