How to bet the Tapit Stakes

An overflow field of 15 has been entered to contest the Thursday feature at Kentucky Downs, the $500,000 Tapit S. The one-mile and 70-yard contest features a bevy of contenders on this unique course, and I often look for runners who have had past success or even some experience on the surface. 

Tapit Wagers

• $15 win and place #10 Chasing the Crown ($30)
• 50-cent trifecta 3,8,10 with 3,8,10 with all ($30)

Morning-line choice #5 Funtastic Again (9-5) was a sharp second in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita in his latest venture. While his class cannot be doubted, I have no idea how the four-year-old colt will take to this venue and he will not be included in the main portions of my wagers. 

#10 Chasing the Crown (7-2) is the one to beat in my opinion for conditioner Mike Maker. 

The consistently good son of Skipshot has been first or second in nine of his past 10 outings, which includes a pair of clear runner-up finishes behind Ottoman Fleet at Churchill Downs most recently. The versatile chestnut also ran well in a lone prior run on this strip when a good second in a seven-furlong allowance tilt last September. He can run over any kind of ground, and the distance seems ideal for the Kentucky-bred. Jose Ortiz will guide the stout late runner. 

Defending champ #8 Harlan Estate (10-1) put in a solid prep for this when second in a Saratoga allowance heat on July 20 and will be making a second run off the layoff. The Whitworth Beckman trainee had this race in mind for some time, and a forward move is expected from the one-run closing type. He’s far from a win machine but the Kantharos gelding ran the best race of his life at this venue, and his price is appealing. Joel Rosario has the assignment. 

#3 Siege of Boston (8-1) was a solid stakes second on this green last campaign and has been in solid form since that performance in September. Trained by Jimmy Toner, the War Front five-year-old came home second at Ellis Park while going 1 1/4 miles last out and will be dead fit for this in his second local attempt. The bay doesn’t love to win but makes a lot of sense with James Graham taking the reins.