Souper Tapit a “Star” at Fair Grounds

Souper Tapit lived up to his pre-debut hopes with a sparkling performance in his Saturday maiden special weight unveiling at the Fair Grounds, making a bold last-to-first move on the final turn to earn the victory.

The Live Oak Plantation homebred was named a TDN Rising Star following the effort, which he won by a neck in 1:43.59 for the one mile and 70 yards.

After a somewhat tardy break, Souper Tapit was relegated to the back of the nine-horse field, where he stayed until nearing the final bend, when he was four-wide but passing horses easily to strike the front straightening for the wire. Multiplier gave chase, but could get no closer than the final margin (VIDEO).

Souper Tapit, by two-time leading sire Tapit, is the first foal out of Zo Impressive, winner of the Grade 1 Mother Goose S. who placed in three other graded stakes. She is a half-sister to Acorn S. (G1) winner Zaftig. Their dam Zoftig was also a winner at the highest level in the Selene S. (G1).

Zo Impressive has a 2-year-old Speightstown colt named Zo Zo Souper and was bred back to that sire lastspring.

Three-year-old Souper Tapit is trained by Mark Casse and picked up $24,600 for the win.