Untapable Seeks Return to Form

When you set the bar as high as Untapable did in 2014, there is not much higher to go. So even though the 4-year-old Tapit   filly has raced through a respectable campaign this year, the results pale when compared to her Eclipse Award season of a year ago.

Nevertheless, Untapable will be in there fighting to repeat her victory from 2014 in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) Oct. 30. Although two-time Breeders' Cup winner and two-time champion Beholder is being pointed for a run in the Classic (gr. I), the Distaff this year still boasts a deep and talented cast that appears considerably tougher than the field Untapable defeated at Santa Anita Park last season.

The Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred, foaled in Kentucky out of the Prized mare Fun House, had a dream campaign last year, winning six of seven starts and nearly $2.9 million. Her only 2014 blemish came when she was pitched against the boys in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) and split the field, finishing fifth. She came home best in the Longines Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose, and Cotillion (all gr. I) in addition to the Distaff.

SHINAR: Untapable Powers to Breeders' Cup Distaff Win

This season has been a different story, starting in March when Untapable couldn't run down Gold Medal Dancer in the Azeri Stakes (gr. II), settling for second. After turning the tables on that one in the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), Untapable has run well, but not well enough to return to the winner's circle. She was well-beaten by Wedding Toast in the Ogden Phipps (gr. I), was passed by Stopchargingmaria late in the Shuvee Handicap (gr. III), ran third in the Personal Ensign (gr. I), and was defeated in the shadow of the wire by Got Lucky in the Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 4. She will again face the last three in the Distaff.

"She hasn't run badly, she just hasn't laid down that eye-popping effort we saw throughout last year," said Ron Winchell, who campaigns Untapable along with his mother, Joan. "She hasn't run equivalent numbers to last year, but she's been pretty close. I think there are a handful of fillies in the Distaff that are equally matched, and the one that gets the best trip probably gets to the winner's circle."

Untapable's races have been purposely spaced apart in an attempt to get a maximum performance out of her in the Distaff, which likely will be the decider when it comes to Eclipse Award hardware this year. Winchell said trainer Steve Asmussen is happy with where the filly is now in her conditioning program and with how she's coming up to the World Championships.

"We wanted to keep her fresh enough to peak in the Breeders' Cup, which we've been gearing up for from the beginning of the year," said Winchell. "The plan has been to train her accordingly—somewhat on the lighter side. We had a few setbacks with weather but we think we're in position with her to get the performance we want on Breeders' Cup day.

"I was pleased with her Spinster. She had to swing wide because she was taking dirt and getting antsy. She relaxed when moved to the outside and she ran well coming home to get beat about six inches."

Winchell is holding off on making a decision on Untapable's future pending her Distaff effort. As of right now, there are no plans to retire her, but she likely needs to show her connections the right signals at Keeneland.

"She's dead sound and it's nice to have a horse like that where you're not having to deal with issues," Winchell noted. "That leaves the option open to race her next year. We'll see how she performs and who else is sticking around next year. It's a pretty tough division right now and we'll look at how she comes out of the Breeders' Cup."

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Untapable, Tapiture Work Early at Keeneland

There is no such indecision with Winchell's other homebred Breeders' Cup veteran, Tapiture. The 4-year-old son of Tapit will begin his stud career in 2016 at Darby Dan Farm. The earner of more than $1.5 million in his career, Tapiture raced to a very strong second behind Goldencents   in last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I), but he, too, has struggled this year. His win in the Sept. 26 Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) was his first in five starts, and this year's Dirt Mile will be his final career start.

"He's been great," Winchell said. "This is another tough race and I think he's a bit of a sleeper coming in based on his season so far."