Tapit 2-Year-Old Out of Bar of Gold Debuts at Belmont

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse expressed excitement for the debut of the well-bred Coinage in the opening race May 21 at Belmont Park, a five-furlong sprint for New York-bred juveniles on dirt. 

By Tapit  , Coinage is out of the Medaglia d'Oro   mare Bar of Gold , an upset winner of the 2017 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). Owned by Leonard Green's D. J. Stable in partnership with breeders Chester and Mary Broman, Coinage was a $450,000 purchase from Sequel New York's consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. 

"After the Greens bought the filly, Mr. Broman said that he would like to partner in the horse," Casse explained. "I've known Mr. Broman for 25 years. He's a class act, as are the Greens. Both are great people."

Coinage has prepped for his career debut at Casse Training Center in Ocala, Fla., where he had five recorded works before shipping to Belmont Park in early April. His most recent work was a half-mile move in :48.45 over the main track May 15. 

"We definitely think he has some talent, and I would hope and think that this horse would be better the further he goes," Casse said. "His mother, oddly enough, was a sprinter, but she was by Medaglia d'Oro. I don't know how far he'll go, but he'll like some more ground, like most Tapits do."

Coinage, listed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite, will exit post 3 under Junior Alvarado.

Second choice at 8-5 is Kentucky shipper Barese, a Laoban   colt with fast workouts for trainer Mike Maker at Churchill Downs Trackside.

Casse said he will be represented by several runners at the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing festival, including Got Stormy , who will cut back in distance for the six-furlong Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes (G1T) against males on turf June 5. 

The 6-year-old daughter of Get Stormy   narrowly won the Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park before running a lackluster fifth in the Longines Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2T) May 1. 

"She came out of her last race well. It was a bit of a head-scratcher, but she's done that before and rebounded, so we'll see," Casse said.

Got Stormy asserted herself a force to be reckoned with after defeating males in course record time in the one-mile Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) in 2019 at Saratoga Race Course and followed with grade 1-placings in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) and TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T). After a few disappointing results in the first half of 2020, Casse regrouped and shortened the talented mare in distance to win the 6 1/2-furlong Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes (G3T) in September and the 5 1/2-furlong Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (G3T) in October at Keeneland. 

Following a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Got Stormy  was offered at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale, where she was hammered down to $2.75 million. She was acquired by Spendthrift Farm, who opted to keep her in training for a 2021 campaign and is now co-owned with MyRacehorse.com.

Among those likely to join her in the Jaipur, a "Win and You're In" prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, is multiple graded stakes winner Sombeyay , according to trainer Peter Miller.

Casse said Gary Barber's Make Mischief  is targeting the $500,000 Acorn Stakes (G1), a one-turn mile at Belmont for sophomore fillies June 5. The New York-bred daughter of Into Mischief   was third in the Eight Belles Stakes Presented by Smithfield (G2) April 30 at Churchill Downs.