Untapable Set for Return in Mother Goose
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Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Untapable will make her first start since cruising to a 4 1/2-length victory in that top Churchill Downs test when she faces an expected five other 3-year-old fillies in the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) June 28 at Belmont Park.
Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Untapable, a daughter of Tapit who established herself as the leading 3-year-old filly in the country this spring, has prepared for Saturday's 1 1/16-mile race with five workouts at Churchill Downs since May 26, including a four-furlong move in :49 3/5 on June 23.
"We're just trying to stay in a nice rhythm with her; keep her happy and comfortable," said trainer Steve Asmussen after the latest workout. "I thought she went over the racetrack well. It was a pretty warm morning, a little humid, but all is good."
With regular rider Rosie Napravik out with injuries suffered in a June 15 training mishap, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez is scheduled to ride for the first time. Napravnik had been aboard for all five of Untapable's victories and six of her seven starts.
"She's special," Asmussen said. "You realize how fortunate we are to be around her. She's just a tremendous talent and it's exciting and fun to have her."
Untapable, who has won four graded stakes, will try to become the first filly since Rachel Alexandra to win the Kentucky Oaks and the Mother Goose. Rachel Alexandra was saddled to victory by Hal Wiggins in the Kentucky Oaks and Asmussen in the Mother Goose.
The only other stakes winner in the expected field of six is Repole Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Stopchargingmaria. The Tale of the Cat filly enters off a victory in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) May 16 at Pimlico Race Course.
$300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I, race 4, approximate post time 2:53 p.m. EDT) 3YO Fillies, 1 1/16 miles
PP Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. House Rules (KY), J. Rosario, 121, H. Jerkens
2. Untapable (KY), J. Velazquez, 121, S. Asmussen
3. Princess Violet (NY), J. Ortiz, 121, M. Hushion
4. America (KY), I. Ortiz Jr., 121, W. Mott
5. Aqua Regia (KY), J. Lezcano, 121, T. Albertrani
6. Stopchargingmaria (KY), J. Castellano, 121, T. Pletcher
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