Untapable, Tapiture plans undeteremined; Bold Conquest likely for Arkansas Derby

Last updated: 3/15/15 4:53 PM

Untapable, Tapiture plans undetermined; Bold Conquest
likely for Arkansas Derby

Untapable was unable to prevail over Gold Medal Dancer while making her
four-year-old, and off-track, debut in the Azeri
(Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)

It wasn’t all bad, trainer Steve Asmussen noted Sunday morning, one day after
champion Untapable (Tapit) finished second in the Azeri S. (G2), Bold Conquest (Curlin)
ran third in the Rebel S. (G2) and Tapiture came in fifth in the Razorback H.
(G3), all at Oaklawn Park

Asmussen, Oaklawn’s perennial leading trainer, had his support system with him for
Saturday’s races in his wife and three children.

“It’s never a bad day when you’ve got family around,” Asmussen said.

The horseman began regrouping with his equine family Sunday morning and said all
three horses came out of their respective races in good physical condition.

“No worry this morning, so we’ll be able to do it again,” he noted.

Asmussen said plans with Bold Conquest are much more firm than they are with
Untapable and Tapiture, who were both making their four-year-old debuts on
Saturday. The trainer indicated it “makes the most sense” to point Bold
Conquest toward the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 11 while next-race
plans for Untapable and Tapiture will be made after they return to the track

Tapiture (outside white cap) was unable to factor while making his four-year-old bow in the Razorback
(Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)

Bold Conquest, in his three-year-old debut, ran fourth in the February 22 Southwest
S. (G3), and was then beaten 8 3/4 lengths by champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof
the Nile) in the Rebel after encountering trouble on the first turn. Both the
Southwest and Rebel were run over sloppy tracks.

“I would love for things to dry out around here and get some decent training
into the big guy,” Asmussen said.

He added that Untapable will start next in the $600,000 Apple Blossom
H. (G1) on April 10 at Oaklawn or in a stakes race at Churchill Downs on
Kentucky Oaks/Derby Day while Tapiture will be pointed for either the $600,000
Oaklawn H. (G2) on Arkansas Derby undercard or the $400,000 Alysheba S. (G2) on
May 1, Kentucky Oaks Day, under the Twin Spires.

Untapable would have the opportunity to extract revenge on her Azeri
conqueror, Gold Medal Dancer (Medaglia d’Oro), if she goes in the Apple Blossom.
Trainer Donnie Von Hemel said the five-year-old Gold Medal Dancer would be pointed for the
1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom following her half-length score on Saturday.

Two who won’t be lining up in that race are Mufajaah (Tapit) and Flashy
American (Flashy Bull). Trainer Danny Peitz confirmed via text that Pippin S. and Bayakoa
S. (G3) heroine Mufajaah has been retired following her third-place showing in
the Azeri while conditioner Kenny McPeek said
Azeri fifth-placer Flashy American will likely make her next start in the
$100,000 Doubledogdare S. (G3) on April 17 at Keeneland.

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