Tapit Today Makes the Grade in Athenia

ELMONT, NY – William Lawrence and Bradley Thoroughbreds’ Tapit Today made her way into a graded stakes winner’s circle for the first time in Sunday’s $100,000 Athenia Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park.

Tapit Today was the 5/1 fourth choice as she broke from post 8 under jockey Jose Ortiz and sat a stalking trip as Mitchell Road set a measured tempo.

Tipped out three-wide in the far turn, Tapit Today shot past Sweet Bye and Bye and met the pacesetter’s eye shortly after straightening for home.

The two mares threw it down in the stretch, but Tapit Today began pulling ahead at the 1/8 pole and gradually drew off to win by a length, completing the 1 1/16-mile firm turf route in 1:42.56.

“She had an outside post, and I tried to ride her like she was the best and control the race a little bit if I had enough horse, and I did,” Ortiz said. “Past the 1/2-mile, I had the favorite right inside of me and I controlled the race from the 3/8 pole to the wire.”

Mitchell Road saved second by 1 length over She’s Got You, the winner’s Chad Brown stablemate who outkicked Feel Glorious by a neck as the pair rallied from the rear.

The 5/2 favorite Call Me Love, Altea (the third Brown entry), Sweet Bye and Bye, and Story Time to complete the order of finish.

Tapit Today’s win was her first since defeating optional claiming company at Tampa Bay Downs last December and improved her overall record to 10-4-2-2. The 5-year-old Tapit daughter, purchased for $180,000 as an unraced juvenile, has now earned $212,230.

“She had a great trip today,” Brown said. “Jose and I spoke about it in the paddock, and looking at all her races, it seems like she’s a clear-running horse. She runs a bit better out in the clear. She can be a little temperamental.”

Tapit Today returned $13.60 to win, $6.30 to place, and $4 to show. Mitchell Road brought back $5.80 to place and $4 to show, while She’s Got You paid $4.70 to show.