FRANKLIN, KY – Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred Ramsey Solution made his stakes debut a winning one in Wednesday’s $300,000 Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs.
Breaking from post 4 under Gerardo Corrales at 8/1 odds, Ramsey Solution sat a close stalking trip while in the clear three-wide. Ahead of him, Get Western dueled heads apart outside of Morocco through opening fractions of :21.94 and :45.17.
Ranging up to challenge for the lead nearing the 5/16 pole, Ramsey Solution soon poked his head in front before drawing clear near the 1/8 pole, then held off a late three-horse rally to win by 1 length.
The Wesley Ward trainee posted a final time of 1:36.38 after covering 1 mile and 70 yards of firm turf.
“I’ve been really excited about this guy from the word ‘Go,’” Ward said. “I’m excited how he came through for Mr. Ramsey. He’s the guy who kind of made me back here (as a trainer). To come through for him on a big money, big day like this, it makes him happy more than anybody.”
Midnight Tea Time took second by a 1/2-length in front of Hembree, who headed the 3/1 favorite English Bee at the wire.
Split the Wickets, Temple, Morocco, Big Score, Get Western, and Hawkish completed the order of finish.
Conviction Trade (Also Eligible), Empire of War, Hemp Hemp Hurray, Hierarchy, Ritzy A. P., and Vanbrugh were scratched.
Ramsey Solution’s win was his third of the year and improved his overall record to 7-4-1-0 with $322,367 earned. The 4-year-old gelding is a son of Real Solution, a two-time Grade 1 turf router and another homebred for the Ramseys, who are Kentucky Downs’ winningest owners.
“I’m very proud of this horse,” Ken Ramsey said. “The horse is a gelding, so we don’t have to be too conservative as far as breeding on either side.”
Ramsey Solution returned $18.20 to win, $10 to place, and $6.80 to show. Midnight Team Time brought back $14.60 to place and $9.40 to show, while Hembree paid $5.20 to show.
