Live Oak Plantation's homebred Tap It to Win was much the best in his 2021 unveiling in Sunday's $110,000 NYRABets Sprint S. at Tampa Bay Downs, one of several stakes run as part of the track's Florida Cup for horses bred in the Sunshine State.

Tap It to Win, trained by Mark Casse, had been away from the races since running third in the Pat Day Mile (G2) last September, but came back in top form with his 4 1/4-length victory. Confidently ridden just off the pace by Antonio Gallardo, he was behind a wall of horses until a shooting through a narrow opening along the inside at the top of the stretch. The 4-year-old shot through and powered away from the field to get the six furlongs in 1:09.43 on a fast track, missing the track record by less than a second and earning an excellent Beyer Speed Figure of 95. 

"He was coming off a very good 3-year-old year, but you keep your fingers crossed he'll come back to that same form," said Casse's assistant, Jimmy Miranda. "That's what happened. He was very good in the receiving barn and is just a real pro."

"I started asking him a little when I saw (R Mercedes Boy) come off the rail, and when I asked him he showed how nice he is," added Gallardo. "This horse showed me he was the best horse in the race." 

Tap It to Win, who also finished second in last year Allen Jerkens S. (G1), is 4-2-1 in 10 starts and has earned $33,672.

Live Oak has nine Florida Cup victories as a breeder and eight as an owner, tied with Glen Hill Farm for first in both categories. 

Pedigree notes from the TDN

The victor's dam Onepointhreekarats, a three-time stakes winner who cost $1.3 million as a Keeneland September yearling, is responsible for a juvenile Tapit colt named Tapthespeedofsound. Second dam Beaties for Real produced four black-type winners and is a half-sister to Ivanavinalot, the dam of dual champion Songbird.