Tapiture Returns to Form in Ack Ack

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Tapiture returned to winning form Sept. 26 at Churchill Downs, gamely holding off favored Viva Majorca to win the $100,000 Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III).



The 4-year-old son of Tapit   stalked the pace in third early on, took over at the top of the stretch, and outdueled even-money Viva Majorca to the wire to win by a half-length.



Longshot Hat of Jacks, who ran just off pacesetter Roman Unbridled during fractions of :23.10 and :46.75 through a half-mile came in third, 4 1/4 lengths back. Tapiture took over to run six furlongs in 1:11.20 and finished off the one-turn mile in 1:35.39 under Ricardo Santana Jr.



"He's a nice horse. He got a clean trip." Santana said. "He sat really comfortably. Turning for home it looked like he was going to keep going, but he waited for (Viva Majorca). He ran a really big race. He's coming back, man."



Tapiture's fifth graded victory snapped a six-race winless streak and increased his earnings to more than $1.5 million. He has a 5-4-4 record from 17 starts.



"I thought he hit a couple of tracks that were extremely laboring in his first races of the year," winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. "It got him a little flat, and then I thought the key to the race today was him getting away cleanly and not having to chase the spot."



The winner paid $7.40, $3, and $2.80 across the board. Viva Majorca brought $2.40 to place and show, and Hat of Jacks returned $5.80.



Midnight Cello finished an even fourth, followed by Den's Legacy, Agent Di Nozzo, and Roman Unbridled, to complete the order of finish.



Bred in Kentucky, Tapiture is out of the Olympio mare Free Spin.