TDN RISING STARS

February 4, 2023 - Gulfstream Park, Race 8, AOC, USD $86,000, 1M, NW1X

Tapit Trice, C, 3, 2020 by Tapit

1st Dam: Danzatrice (MSW & GSP, $312,145), by Dunkirk
2nd Dam: Lady Pewitt, by Orientate
3rd Dam: Spin Room, by Spinning World

Owner: Whisper Hill Farm, LLC & Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck)
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds, Ltd. (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

Unveiled at Aqueduct Nov. 6, Tapit Trice (Tapit) endured a wide trip throughout and was coming on late but had to settle for third just 2 1/2 lengths off the winner. It would be the only time so far that the grey son of Tapit did not find the winner's circle as he rebounded with a narrow victory over a muddy but sealed track Dec. 17 before flying south to Gulfstream to earn his 'TDN Rising Star' nod with an eight-length romp Saturday.

Racing with Lasix for the first time, the $1,300,000 Keeneland September yearling got away evenly from the inside gate but was outsprinted early and switched outside by jockey Luis Saez to race in the clear up the backstretch. Fourth in a tightly-bunched field, the grey held his ground behind a pair of dueling leaders up front, staying wide out on the track as the opening quarter went in :24.25. Up into third by the time the leaders began to swing around the far turn, Tapit Trice surged forward under a hand ride past the quarter pole to join his stablemate, the 4-5 favorite Shesterkin (Violence), for the lead. The pair matched strides for only a few yards before Tapit Trice went on with it into the final furlong, running up the score late for the clear victory as the 6-5 second choice.

The 51st 'Rising Star' for prolific sire Tapit, Tapit Trice is out of a graded-stakes placed half-sister to MGISW Jaywalk (Cross Traffic). Danzatrice returned to Tapit twice more since producing Tapit Trice, producing back-to-back full-sisters in 2021 and 2022 with the 2-year-old being a $1,100,000 purchase by Whisper Hill Farm at last year's Keeneland September Sale. Danzatrice is due back to Tapit for yet another full-sibling in 2023.