ARCADIA, Calif. (AP)—Tapizar, a Kentucky Derby contender final year before
a bone chip knocked him out of a Triple Crown chase, had a rousing start to
his 4-year-old debate with a exile win in a $150,000 San Fernando Stakes
on Saturday during Santa Anita.
Ridden by Corey Nakatani for tutor Steve Asmussen, a heavily favored
Tapizar took a lead early and pulled divided in a homestretch to kick long-shot
Balladry by 3 1/2 lengths, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.94.
Tapizar chipped a bone in his knee as a favorite and fifth place finisher
in a Robert B. Lewis Stakes during Santa Anita final Feb. 12.
“I’m blissful he’s behind during a venue that shows who he is,” Asmussen said.
“Hopefully, we won’t get off lane with him this year.”
Asmussen pronounced he skeleton to run a colt in a Santa Anita’s Strub array of
stakes for 4-year-olds, presumably indicating toward a Santa Anita Handicap in
March.
The leader paid $4.20, $3.60 and $2.60. Balladry returned $9.60 and $3.80,
and Prayer for Relief paid $2.40.
Owned and bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Tapizar has won 4 times in nine
career starts. He warranted $90,000 to boost his career sum to $263,032.
