The Secret to Tapit's Success

by Anne Peters
During the first weekend in February, he was represented by three graded stakes winners: Flashback, Honorable Dillon, and Tapicat.

After the Wire - 3/3/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the Gotham Stakes, Santa Anita Handicap, and the Las Virgenes Stakes.

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Champ Beholder Back in Form for 'Virgenes Win

Compromised by a throat ulcer in her first start of the year, the real Beholder showed up in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) March 2 at Santa Anita Park, romping over seven 3-year-old filly opponents.

Beholder Tries to Make Amends in Las Virgenes

Champion filly Beholder will try to avenge her odds-on defeat to longshot Renee's Titan when they square off at Santa Anita Park in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I)

Beholder Drills Sharply for Las Virgenes

Eclipse Award winner Beholder worked five furlongs on Santa Anita's fast main track Feb. 24 in :59 3/5 under regular rider Garrett Gomez in preparation for the upcoming Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies.

Small Ulcer Detected in Beholder's Throat

Beholder, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2012, likely had an excuse when she was second in her sophomore debut Jan. 21 as the 1-5 favorite in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II).

Mares in Japan Part 3: American Royalty

Journalist Kate Hunter continues her visit with mares in Japan.

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Eden's Moon Shines Bright in Las Virgenes

Eden's Moon took a major step toward the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when she drew away from 6-5 favorite Reneesgotzip in the homestretch to take the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) in her stakes debut March 3 at Santa Anita.

Reneesgotzip Gets Route Test in Las Virgenes

Off her sizzling win in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II), lightly raced Reneesgotzip figures to be a heavy favorite in the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I) at Santa Anita March 3.

Reneesgotzip Speeds 5 Panels for Las Virgenes

Reneesgotzip, who demolished the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) in just her second start last month, worked five furlongs in a bullet :59 2/5 handily from the gate Feb. 26 in preparation for the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I).

Eastham Opens EastWynd Sales Agency

Bloodstock agent Tommy Eastham has opened his EastWynd Sales Agency near Lexington. The firm is accepting new clients.

Mosses Appear to Have a New Star in Zazu

On a day owners Jerry and Ann Moss were presented the first "Vox Populi" Award for their superstar mare Zenyatta, they also gained a new grade I winner in Zazu, who won the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) Feb. 5

Turbulent Descent Tries Dirt in Las Virgenes

Undefeated Turbulent Descent, one of the leading 2-year-old fillies in the nation last year, will race on dirt for the first time in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Feb. 5.

Champion Stardom Bound Sold Privately

The daughter of Tapit was in foal to Big Brown at the time the deal was closed.

Euphony to Defend Title in Arlington Matron

Defending champ Euphony and last year's Arlington Oaks (gr. III) winner Peach Brew, both trained by Donnie K. Von Hemel, are among 12 entered in the $150,000 Arlington Matron Stakes (gr. III) May 29.

Cat Moves Makes Seasonal Bow in My Juliet

Grade I winner Cat Moves, making her first start in seven months, is the 5-2 morning line favorite among a strong field of nine older fillies and mares for the $250,000 My Juliet Stakes May 29 at Philadelphia Park.

Another 'Classic' Victory by Researcher

Kinross Corp.'s Researcher again played to the home crowd at Charles Town Races & Slots April 17 with a repeat victory in the Charles Town Classic, one of the richest races in the country for older horses.

Haka Holds On In Doubledogdare

Claiborne Farm's homebred Haka wore down pacesetter Funny Moon in the stretch and held on for a one-length victory in the $100,000 Doubledogdare (gr. III), as trainer Christophe Clement ran one-two in Keeneland's feature.

Champion Stardom Bound Retired From Racing

Stardom Bound, a 2008 champion and winner of that year's Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), has been retired from racing and been booked to Big Brown

Doubledogdare: Striking Dancer in Good Form

Stevestan Stables' Striking Dancer, winner of the La Canada (gr. II) in February and fourth behind Zenyatta in the Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I) in her most recent start, will carry top weight in the Doubledogdare

Forever Together Starts Back in Jenny Wiley

Augustin Stable's Forever Together, the champion grass mare in 2008, will make her season debut against a terrific field in the $200,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IIT) April 3 at Keeneland.

Apple Blossom Receives 45 Nominations

As expected, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time champion Zenyatta were chief among the 45 fillies and mares nominated to the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park April 9.

Inside Information Stakes Up For Grabs

The top four finishers of last month's Hurricane Bertie Stakes (gr. III), including winner Kays and Jays, return for the $150,000 Inside Information Stakes (gr. II) March 14 at Gulfstream Park.

Striking Dancer Avoids Crowd, Wins La Canada

Jockey Alex Solis kept the late-running Striking Dancer clear of traffic and the daughter of Smart Strike did the rest, causing a 13-1 upset in the $150,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita on Valentine's Day.

Blind Luck Wins Las Virgenes by a Whisker

Last at the top of the stretch, Blind Luck charged down the middle of the track to capture the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) by a nose over an unlucky Evening Jewel at Santa Anita Feb. 13.