Souper Tapit makes the grade in Marine S. (G3)

Live Oak Plantation’s home-bred 3-year-old colt Souper Tapit earned his first graded stakes win in Sunday’s $134, 250 Marine S. (G3) over Woodbine’s main track in just his fourth career start.

Under a deft ride from Florent Geroux, Souper Tapit was well-placed in third along the rail for six furlongs, then swung out for the stretch run. After tussling with Channel Maker to the furlong marker, the chestnut colt re-rallied to win by two lengths in 1:43.52 for the 1 1/16-miles.

Sunday’s win was redemption following Souper Tapit’s last start, a very troubled trip in the Lexington S. (G3) last month at Keeneland.

“He’s extremely talented,” said Geroux of the son of Tapit. “We just tried to keep him quiet and when he’s that way, he can perform very well. Mark (trainer Casse) and his staff did a great job with him. They put a lot of work and effort into him and I’m glad I was able to deliver the nice win for them today.”

Souper Tapit has won two of his four outings and upped his bankroll to $82,468. He is the first foal out of Live Oak’s Mother Goose S. (G1) winner Zo Impressive, who herself is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Zaftig. Their dam Zoftig won Woodbine’s Grade 1 Selene S.