Untapable Coasts Clear in Apple Blossom Win

Rebounding from her half-length loss in her 2015 debut to Gold Medal Dancer in the March 14 Azeri Stakes (gr. II), the 4-year-old daughter leading sire Tapit   won by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths from fast-closing 51-1 shot Diva's Diamond. The runner-up was no threat to the winner but denied Gold Medal Dancer, the 4-1 second choice, by a neck for second.

 

A bit eager to race on the first turn, Untapable was settled in an outside path down the backstretch to stalk pacesetter Sugar Shock, who led Pearl Turn through solid fractions of :23.90 and 48.26 through a half mile. Pearl Turn moved to a narrow lead from Sugar Shock as the six furlongs went in 1:12.05, but her advantage was short-lived after Untapable bid four wide and dispatched her at the top of stretch to secure the victory under a hand ride.

 

Gold Medal Dancer, racing in third much of the race, got shuffled back when Untapable ranged up with three-eighths to run, but clung to her position when Diva's Diamond finished willingly to grab second.

 

Untapable completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.96 on a fast track as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite under John Velazquez. 

 

Untapable was the nation's champion 3-year-old filly last year when she won six of seven starts, capping the season with a victory against older opponents in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park. Although unbeaten against females last year (6-for-6), she was bested by front-running Gold Medal Dancer in the Azeri following a 4 1/2-month layoff.

 

Untapable posted three workouts since the Azeri, for trainer Steve Asmussen, including a sizzling six-furlong move in company March 30 (1:10 4/5).

 

"I was awfully concerned with how sharp she's been, the works that she's put in," Asmussen said. "I thought Johnny did a great job with her into the first turn (in the Apple Blossom). Once they lined out down the backside, I thought she was really in a commanding position and ran extremely well from there. I can't say enough how proud I am... a Winchell homebred. So much of the family are Winchell family horses."

 

Velazquez praised Untapable's performance in the Apple Blossom.

 

"Steve told me last time, 'I'm not sure she's a 100% fit,' and plus he was unsure about how she would like the track. Today, he told me she was ready and she showed it. He said she was working steadily and she was mad after her last race. That was a great effort from her today. A nice effort from a nice filly."

 

Owner and breeder Ron Winchell said the next race for Untapable is yet to be determined.

 

"When we brought her back, this was the main target and so, accomplishing this, we'll look at the next options and try to figure that out," Winchell said.