Tepin Runs Record-Setting Hillsborough
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Photo: SV Photography
Tepin overtakes pacesetter Isabella Sings to win the Hillsborough Stakes.
Champion Tepin set a stakes record and a course record March 12 in the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (gr. IIT) at Tampa Bay Downs, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.26.
Robert Masterson's 5-year-old daughter of Bernstein closed from third with a tremendous kick to catch leader Isabella Sings after that rival opened an 18-length advantage by the first half of the turf test. It was the first start off the bench for Isabella Sings since the Todd Pletcher trainee won the Nov. 14 Mrs. Revere Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs, and the second start of the season for Tepin after a Feb. 13 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes (gr. IIIT) score.
NOVAK: Tepin Flawless in Endeavour
"Todd (Pletcher) said to me 'When she (Isabella Sings) breaks, drop your hands down and let her go as fast as she can. That's her weapon,' " Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez said. "So I didn't take a hold of her and let her do her own thing. It was a great effort and I think if she had a little race before this one, she would have been even tougher."
Despite Velazquez's clever attempt to run away with the race aboard Isabella Sings (the duo went fractions of :23.49, :45.95, and 1:09.15 before turning home for a 1:34.08 mile), Julien Leparoux and Tepin charged to the wire with a powerful stretch run to win by a length.
"I knew (Isabella Sings) was going fast, but when that happens, you almost have to not pay attention to the one in front," Leparoux said. "Johnny (Velazquez) came back a little at the half-mile pole, but my horse had to fight hard today, which is good. I didn't whip her because I could feel she was running for me. She had to have a big race to win, and she did."
"I was a little worried after the first quarter, but... it's funny, the distance worked in our favor today," said trainer Mark Casse. "She's quite a horse. She can do a little bit of everything; that's what makes her so amazing."
Sent off the 1-5 favorite in a field of 10 fillies and mares, Tepin returned $2.80, $2.20, and $2.10. Isabella Sings paid $5.40 and $4.20, and Lovely Loyree brought $8.80 in third. Completing the order of finish were Bureau de Change, Button Down, Danza Cavallo, Rainha Da Bateria, Ball Dancing, Royal Jewelry, and Speed Seeker.
Tepin, who beat the boys in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland, will now head back to the Lexington oval to take another run against males in the April 15 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT). Her connections have also mentioned a trip to Royal Ascot in June as a potential goal for the brilliant bay runner, who now owns a 9-3-1 career record from 17 starts for earnings of $2,685,973.
"She is older, smarter, and more relaxed," Masterson said. "She doesn't have to be on the lead now, or close to the lead. She can sit back and pick her spot. Words can't describe this. At the top of the lane she was still eight lengths behind, but she's got the biggest turn of foot you'll see in the last eighth."