Hot Springs, AR (SportsNetwork.com) – Champion filly Untapable went wide
around the turns but was able to cruise on home in winning Friday’s $600,000
Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
Denied victory in last month’s season debut, Untapbale was sent off as the
odds-on 1-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom versus six rivals.
The 4-year-old filly, trained by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds,
broke from post 2 and settled to the outside of pacesetter Sugar Shock with
Pearl Turn racing second.
Untapable, with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez again riding, went four
wide into the far turn but quickly drew even with leader Pearl Turn. Untapable
swept past the challenger and assumed the lead at the top of the stretch.
The Eclipse Award winner went on to register a 2 1/2-length victory over 51-1
longshot Diva’s Diamond with 9-2 second choice Gold Medal Dancer third. Pearl
Turn was fourth followed by Call Pat, Glorys Last Chance and Sugar Shock.
The time for the Apple Blossom was 1:42.96 on a fast track.
Untapable, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, was coming off a half-length
loss to Gold Medal Dancer as the 1-10 favorite in her 2015 debut just four
weeks ago in Oaklawn’s Azeri Stakes. Friday’s win was worth $360,000 to bring
the filly’s career bankroll to $3,416,725 with nine wins in 13 career starts.
The filly won the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Distaff which culminated an outstanding
3-year-old campaign during which she won six of seven starts including the
Rachel Alexandra Stakes, Fair Grounds Oaks, Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose
Stakes and Cotillion. Her only loss came in the Haskell Invitational behind
eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic champ Bayern.
Untapable paid $2.40, $2.20 and $2.10. Diva’s Diamond returned $15.60 and
$5.40, and Gold Medal Dancer paid $2.40 to show.
