Sharp Aza Tack Razor Sharp in Tyro
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Photo: Ryan Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Sharp Aza Tack romps in the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park
After Sharp Aza Tack ’s solid first-out score on the turf at Santa Anita Park, trainer Doug O’Neill began looking for a race as a set-up for the $500,000 Global Tote Juvenile Sprint Stakes Sept. 8 at Kentucky Downs.
That race was the $100,000 Tyro Stakes July 30 at Monmouth Park, and it turned out to be little more than a public workout for the 2-year-old son of Sharp Azteca , who has now sired two stakes winners from his first crop.
Flashing impressive speed early and then even more dazzling power late, Sharp Aza Tack rolled to a 7 1/4-length victory in a quick final time of :55.71 for the five furlongs on firm turf. He paid $4 to win.
“I decided to ship the horse to Monmouth Park after talking to owner Ron Arakelian (of R3 Racing),” O’Neill said. “We circled the Global Tote Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs (at 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass) for him, and we thought, 'What is a good spot between the win at Santa Anita and the Kentucky Downs race?' The race at Monmouth Park was perfect."
Sent off as the even-money favorite in the field of seven juveniles, Sharp Aza Tack needed only minor early encouragement from jockey Jairo Rendon as he quickly opened up on the field through an opening quarter mile in :21.49 before powering away from his rivals on the turn for home.
“I didn’t know much about this horse since his only race was in California,” Rendon said. “I knew from the past performances that he is very quick from the gate. So I was expecting the same from him today—and that’s what he did.
“The only thing Doug O’Neill said to me was 'He’s a quick horse. Just go.’ Once he got into stride he took off. He won very easily in his second start, and he won easily in his first start, so it looks like he could be a good one.”
Second choice Power Attack , who chased the winner throughout, was second by 1 3/4 lengths over Bart's Dream in third.
“There were some good runners in there. I couldn’t have been more impressed or more proud of the way (Sharp Aza Tack) ran,” O’Neill said. “It’s hard to be more impressive than he was.”
Bred in Kentucky by Joe and Emily Cowles, Sharp Aza Tack was initially sold to RiceHorse, agent, for $72,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Legacy Bloodstock consignment. Then this year he caught the eye of O'Neill at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company March Sale of Two-Year-Olds-in-Training, where the trainer purchased the colt from RiceHorse Stable for $100,000.
Sharp Aza Tack is the third winner produced from the mare Que Chulo , a daughter of Bernardini out of the Argentinian group 1 winner Que Piensa Cat .