Souper Tapit shows his mettle in $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic

Souper Tapit held off a pair of challengers in the stretch to win Gulfstream Park’s $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic S. by a half-length on Jan. 19.

The 5-year-old Live Oak Plantation homebred, who won the Mazarine S. (G3) as a 3-year-old, is now 4-3-4 in 15 starts and has banked $311,443.

Souper Tapit finished off 2018 with an eye-opening nine-length allowance score at Gulfstream on Dec. 16, and though the margin of victory was smaller on Saturday, looked just as sharp for his 2019 debut.

Hung three-wide on the first turn, the son of Tapit moved up into third on the backstretch, then willingly took command outside the quarter pole. With Jay’s Way to his inside and Dalmore flanking his right, Souper Tapit dug in to hit the wire first in 1:50.62 for the 1 1/8 miles, earning an excellent Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

“He was ultra-consistent last year and we were able to get a win at the end of the year, which was great,” said Nick Tomlinson, assistant to trainer Mark Casse. “The timing for this race couldn’t have been better. He trained great up to the race. The result showed today.”

Souper Tapit was the first foal out of Live Oak’s Mother Goose S. (G1) winner Zo Impressive, who was bred to Uncle Mo for 2019.

Souper Tapit winning the 2019 Sunshine Millions Classic – Lauren King photo