Untapable Unstoppable in Grade I Cotillion

Winchell Thoroughbreds Untapable rebounded off a fifth-place finish against males in her last start to hold off Sweet Reason for a one-length victory in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (gr. I) at Parx Racing Sept. 20 .



Ridden by Rose Napravnik for trainer Steve Asmussen as the 124-pound co-topweight and 2-5 favorite, Untapable tracked early leaders Jojo Warrior and Cassatt, who set moderate fractions of :23.2 and :46.3 for the first half-mile in the 1 1/16-mile race. Untapable, who was never far back, began her winning move rounding the second turn and finally took over at the quarter pole. After drifting in sharply at the eighth pole, Untapable moved back out and held off her late challenger, stopping the timer in 1:42.71.

The Cotillion was the third grade I victory this year for the daughter of Tapit   bred in Kentucky by Winchell, having previously won the Longines Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose Stakes. She has now won seven of 10 starts and earned $1,934,725.



Previous to the Cotillion for 3-year-old fillies, Untapable finished fifth as the 7-5 favorite against males in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I), won by Bayern. Two races after the Cotillion on the Parx card, Bayern faced Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner California Chrome in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and won by open lengths.

Untapable paid $3.00, $2.40, and $2.10, with Sweet Reason worth $4.00 and $2.80 and Jojo Warrior holding third at $3.60. The order was completed by Little Alexis, Cassatt, Joint Return, Veroe Amore, and House Rules.

The complexion of the Cotillion changed earlier in the day when grade I winner Stopchargingmaria was scratched.

"I was extremely pleased to have her back in the winner's circle where we feel she belongs," Asmussen said. "I think a lot of little things added up to (the Haskell defeat) not being her day. I was very proud that she came out of a tough race like that, tough circumstances, to win a grade I. She beat very good fillies. This is her third grade I of the year. We're very proud to have her.

"She gives you a tremendous amount of confidence," Asmussen continued."You rather run her than anybody else. I think this time of year; the fillies have sorted themselves out. This time of year everybody in belongs. Early in the year and in the spring a lot of horses are not up to the task or go wayward.



"Her works the last three weeks have given us a great amount of confidence that it's the Untapable we should expect."



The trainer said the Cotillion should set Untapable up for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) and that she would ship to California Sept. 21 to prepare for the race at Santa Anita Park.

"The filly ought to get a lot out of it. She's got nice timing back to the (Breeders' Cup) Distaff, and now we'll try to prepare for that. She does fly to California tomorrow."



"It set up well with the two horses in front got into a little fight up front on the first turn," Napravnik said of the race. "I sat chilly with her and let her move when she was ready. The track is all speedy today so we had to make us some ground. She is all class. She ran great, training great and no reason not for her to go forward."



Untapable was produced from the Prized mare Fun House, also a Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred, who won five of 29 starts and had 17 placings, with earnings of $432,922.

The Cotillion win likely sewed up the 3-year-filly championship for Untapable, impressive 9 1/2-length winner of the Rachel Alexandra and 7 3/4-length winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) earlier in the year. As a 2-year-old, Untapable won the Pocahontas Stakes (gr. II) and was third in the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I).

"To me this wins solidifies the Eclipse," said winning owner Ron Winchell. "She dug in and it was good to get it done after the Haskell Invitational. This was a big exhale after the Haskell and glad to get it done."