The Bill Mott trainee certainly made her mark when she attained 'TDN Rising Star' honors as a debut winner at Keeneland last April, and then followed that up with an 8 1/4-length win against optional claimers at Churchill Downs in early June.

Out of champion older mare Close Hatches (First Defence), the homebred is a full-sister to MGSW/MGISP and current sire Tacitus. Close Hatches herself counts as a full-sister MGISP Lockdown, who is responsible for 2023 Eclipse Award winning older dirt female Idiomatic (Curlin). Under Scylla's third dam we find Irish multiple group 1 stakes hero Siskin (First Defence). TJCIS PPS

Scylla and @jjcjockey took the 6th race at @Keeneland for trainer Bill Mott and @JuddmonteFarms! @TVG l @FanDuelTV l @PDJFund pic.twitter.com/6Ezn3BYX4b

— JockeyCam (@JockeyCam) April 15, 2023

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The inside four horses, all first-time starters, headline Pegasus World Cup day at Gulfstream Park Saturday. BATTEN DOWN (Tapit) kicks things off for Bill Mott who looks to capitalize on a huge Eclipse Awards night with this Juddmonte homebred. A son of champion older mare Close Hatches, this colt is out of a full-sister to MGISP Lockdown, herself the dam of newly-crowned champion 3-year-old filly Idiomatic (Curlin). He is also a full-brother to MGSW/MGISP Tacitus and from the family of G1 Tattersalls Irish Two Thousands Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence).

Corporate Power (Curlin) brought $925,000 as a yearling at KEENOV in 2022 for Courtlandt Farms and trainer Shug McGaughey. Out of GSW Road to Victory, herself a $1.45m Stonestreet buy at FTKNOV 2019, the colt counts Japanese G1SW Moanin (Henny Hughes) as an extended family member.

The first of two Todd Pletcher entries, My True Colors (Munnings) sold for $600,000 at Keeneland as a yearling. Already a half to GSP Valletta (Into Mischief), he traces back to MGISW A.P. Indian (Indian Charlie).

Breaking from the rail is the other Pletcher entry, Speak Easy (Constitution), a homebred for WinStar Farm and Sienna Farm, is out of GISP Fun. WinStar purchased the GI Darley Alcibiades third for $400,000 at FTKNOV in 2017 and this is her second foal to race. TJCIS PPS

2nd-FG, 57K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 4:28 p.m.

$1.7m yearling Gun Party (Curlin) debuts for Three Chimneys Farm and Winchell Thoroughbreds. The Steve Asmussen trainee is out of GI Acorn S. winner Carina Mia who last sold to Japan's Shadai Farm for $2.6m at FTKNOV in 2021. The dam is half to MGISW Miss Match (Arg) (Indygo Shiner) and to the dam of MSW/MGSP Super Chow (Lord Nelson) along with juvenile SW Princess Indy (Lord Nelson). TJCIS PPS

5th-FG, $57K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 6:19 p.m.

A pair of homebreds, both racing for Steve Asmussen, make their debuts at the Fair Grounds. Lady Ariel (Curlin) from Stonestreet is out of SW/MGSP Steph Being Steph.

To her outside, Just Better (Justify) wears the Whisper Hill colors. Mandy Pope picked up her dam, Betterbetterbetter (Ire), for a sale-topping $5.2m at FTKNOV in 2013. The dam is a half to Irish high-weighted filly Yesterday (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and to G1SW Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) amongst many others in a deep European family. TJCIS PPS

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6th-BAQ, $90K, 2yo, f, 6fT, 3:42 p.m. ET
MITOLE MAGIC (Mitole) was an $80,000 purchase out of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale, but matured nicely and was knocked down to First Row Partners for $275,000 at OBS this past March. The Feb. 26 foal is out of 12-time winner Blake's Magic (Bernstein), a half-sister to Canadian champion and four-time GSW and GI Atto Mile runner-up Mobil (Langfuhr). Agra (Blame) is a granddaughter of MSP Greenery (Galileo {Ire}), the dam of GI Donn H. hero, GI Woodbine Mile second-place finisher and G1 Dubai World Cup third Lea (First Samurai) as well as 2020 Iowa Derby winner Acre (Blame). Agra was bought back on a bid of $190,000 at this year's OBS April Sale. TJCIS PPs

11th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 5:58 p.m. ET
IRINA'S CHARM (Justify), a $550,000 KEESEP purchase, is the third foal to race out of treble graded-stakes winner Strike Charmer (Smart Strike), who was purchased by Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch for $700,000 carrying to Tapit at the 2018 Keeneland November sale. The Apr. 13 foal is out of a daughter of SW/GSP Cat Charmer (Storm Cat), whose MSP half-sister Sweet Dreams (Candy Ride {Arg}) produced GSW/GISP Subconscious (Tapit). This is also the family of GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. third Impeachment (Deputy Minister) and of top sire Violence (Medaglia d'Oro). TJCIS PPs

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The beautifully bred #5 Scylla makes it two-for-two in R8 at Churchill Downs for trainer Bill Mott with @jjcjockey aboard!

This 3-year-old filly is the daughter of super sire Tapit and MG1W Close Hatches! A homebred for @JuddmonteFarms.

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/2QtpxwGV8b

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 2, 2023

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The latest daughter out of champion older mare and MGISW Close Hatches (First Defense), SCYLLA (Tapit) debuts in the silks of Juddmonte Farm for trainer Bill Mott. Already responsible for Scylla's full-brother in MGSW & MGISP Tacitus, Close Hatches is herself a full-sister to MGISP Lockdown, the dam of Latonia S. winner Idiomatic (Curlin). This is also the female line of G1 Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas hero Siskin (First Defence).

Breaking just to Scylla's outside is Brenda (Curlin)–the half-sister to GSW & MGISP Thank You Marylou (Birdstone)–who debuts Saturday for John Ennis and owner Mathiesen Racing LLC. TJCIS PPS

1st-KEE, $100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:00 p.m.

Another homebred makes his delayed career bow Saturday in Kentucky as Braggadocious (Gun Runner), the half-brother to GSW & MGISP Bravazo (Awesome Again), gets the start for owner/breeder Calumet Farm.

Just to his outside is Magical Power (Good Magic), a $460,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling purchase making his second start since debuting second as the beaten favorite at Gulfstream Mar. 18. TJCIS PPS

7th-AQU, $70K, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 1 1/16mT, 4:34 p.m.

In action taking place outside of Kentucky, Inflationary Trend (Mendelssohn) is the latest filly to take to the turf for the powerhouse connections of Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown. The filly's second dam is MGISW Missy's Mirage (Stop the Music), herself a half-sister to GISW Classy Mirage (Storm Bird), producer of GI Three Chimneys Hopeful S. victor Dublin (Afleet Alex). TJCIS PPS

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The Apple Blossom is such a mainstay in the older filly and mare ranks that it might be a surprise to all but those with the longest memories that the first several winners were males. It's the last 50 years that have been devoted exclusively to the ladies, resulting in a steady diet of champions in the older mare division. Despite past winners including Zenyatta, Azeri, Paseana (Arg), and Susan's Girl, the Apple Blossom seems to get better and better. Surely races don't get more exciting than in 2021 when Letruska, Monomoy Girl, and Swiss Skydiver–eventually all three Eclipse champions–came off the final turn together for an epic showdown.

Following are some of the most important Apple Blossom winners by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Close Hatches (2010, First Defence–Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat), bred by Millsec, LTD.: Her first foal was Tacitus (Tapit), now a young sire whose first foals have been arriving this spring. He won three graded stakes, but also placed in six Grade I events, including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont S. , and Travers S.

Dream of Summer (1999, Siberian Summer–Mary's Dream, by Skywalker), bred by James Weigel: This lovely California-bred has consistently punched above her weight, producing GISW and sire Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway), GISW Vexatious (Giant's Causeway), and MGSW & GISP Destin (Giant's Causeway). Her current 3-year-old filly, Summer Promise (Uncle Mo), is a 'TDN Rising Star' and was runner-up in the GIII Schuylerville S. last year.

GISW Queen Goddess, descended from 1995 winner Heavenly Prize, was last seen winning the Pegasus F/M Turf Jan. 28 | Coglianese

Heavenly Prize (1991, Seeking the Gold–Oh What a Dance, by Nijinsky II), bred by Ogden Phipps: This Phipps homebred Hall of Famer produced MGISW Good Reward (Storm Cat) and GSW Pure Prize (Storm Cat), while her daughters and granddaughters have already imparted upon the sport GISWs Persistently (Smoke Glacken), Queen Goddess (Empire Maker), and Instilled Regard (Arch); GSW & MGISP Stays in Vegas (City Zip); and SW & MGISP Faithfully (Smart Strike).

Halo America (1990, Waquoit–Ameriangel, by Halo), bred by John Franks: Young sire and GI Preakness S. winner Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) is out of this gray's MGSP daughter Quick Temper (A.P. Indy).

Gorgeous (1986, Slew o' Gold–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and R. N. Clay: Her descendants include English champion and G1SW Music Show (Ire) (Noverre); Venezuelan champion La Alpujarra (Ven) (Pioneerof the Nile); four-time GISW Turbulent Descent (Congrats); GISW Swift Temper (Giant's Causeway); GSW & MGISP All Included (Include); and a number of other black-type winners.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners), bred by Haras Principal: Despite limited opportunities, this Hall of Famer and two-time Breeders' Cup winner is the granddam of MGISW and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned (E Dubai), MGISW Affluent (Affirmed), and GSW Walkabout (Stroll).

Love Smitten (1981, Key to the Mint–Square Angel, by Quadrangle), bred by E. P. Taylor: A full-sister to the dam of Gorgeous, above, the final three of her five living foals were all black-type winners, but she'll be remembered best as the dam of the glorious Swain (Ire) (Nashwan). The globetrotting English and Irish champion was a MG1SW on the grass, but it was his placings on the dirt in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and G1 Dubai World Cup just a neck and a nose behind Silver Charm that endeared him to American audiences.

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse), bred by Edgar Kitchen: Dam of MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery (Alydar), she's also granddam to GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief (Storm Cat) and GISW Pohave (Holy Bull). A great-granddaughter is GSW and $2.2-million Summer Wind broodmare purchase Tapicat (Tapit).

Miss Baja (1975, Mr. Leader–Double Tollgate, by Carry Back), bred by Spears-Olsson Breeding Syndicate: She produced GSW Stoneleigh's Hope (Damascus), while her descendants include two winners of Keeneland's GI Darley Alcibiades S. in the last decade, Peace and War (War Front) and British Idiom (Flashback). The latter also won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and was named an Eclipse champion. Others tracing to Miss Baja include GSW & GISP Rushie (Liam's Map), GSW Princess Pietrina (Spectacular Bid), and Argentina's MGSW & G1SP Papa Inc (Arg) (Include).

Summertime Promise (1972, Nijinsky II–Prides Promise, by Crozier), bred by Paul Mellon: U.S. GISW and Japanese graded producer Teddy's Promise (Salt Lake) descends from her, as do GSWs and useful sires Carson City (Mr. Prospector) and General Meeting (Seattle Slew).

Susan's Girl (1969, Quadrangle–Quaze, by Quibu {Arg}), bred by F. W. Hooper, Jr.: They don't come more hale and hearty than this Hall of Famer, multiple champion, and winner of 24 black-type events ranging from the Kentucky Oaks to the Apple Blossom, so it should be no surprise her triple Grade I-winning son Copelan (Tri Jet) would sire a number of tough and successful Florida-breds.

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“He is booked to over 160 mares now,” reported Taylor Made's Duncan Taylor. “We've been really satisfied with the reception from breeders. We're not taking every mare he gets offered. We're picking through and trying to get the best mares we can. We probably could have stood him for more money because he has been so popular, but we wanted to make sure we got a good book to him to get him off to a good start.”

Hailing from a highly-successful Juddmonte family, the son of champion sire Tapit is the first foal out of Champion Older Mare and five-time Grade I winner Close Hatches (First Defence). The mare descends from blue hen Best in Show (Traffic Judge) and is from the same family as G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin, a young sire in Japan who is also by First Defence.

Taylor gives high regard to the line breeding traced in Tacitus's pedigree through First Defence, a grandson of Unbridled out of a Seattle Slew mare, and Tapit, a member of the Seattle Slew sire line out of an Unbridled mare.

“I really like the way he's bred with the Unbridled and Seattle Slew line breeding,” he explained. “They're both through a male and a female, so it's a very well-balanced pedigree. Then the females in his family are unbelievable. You have Weekend Surprise, Narrate, Gana Facil, Crimson Saint and Best in Show. When you look for what I call a blue-blood Kentucky pedigree, this one hits the bullseye.”

“There's a lot of things you can line breed to with him and try to come up with some clever matings,” he said, adding that the new stallion's first book is replete with mares by the sire lines of Candy Ride, Arch, Indian Charlie and War Front.

One of two graded stakes-winning grays joining the Taylor Made roster this year along with champion Knicks Go (Paynter), Tacitus may share the coloring of his sire, but Taylor said his physical better reflects his female line.

“He's bigger [than his sire] and you can really see the Unbridled coming through,” Taylor said. “He has a big, deep shoulder and a good neck on him.”

Tacitus all alone in the GII Suburban S. | Sarah Andrew

Campaigned by Juddmonte and trained throughout his career by Bill Mott, Tacitus was a top contender on the Triple Crown trail. After breaking his maiden as a juvenile, he claimed consecutive victories in the GII Tampa Bay Derby, where he set a stakes record, and the GII Wood Memorial S.

The colt did not see the winner's circle again as a sophomore, but ran in the money in each of his next five starts in 2019, placing second in the GI Belmont S., GII Jim Dandy S. and GI Runhappy Travers S., and finishing third in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S.

“He was right there through the major 3-year-old races,” Taylor said. “[To finish] third in the Kentucky Derby was a real credit and then he came back and ran well in the Travers. While he never got the Grade I win, he was a Grade I-caliber horse. I think just pure ability made him as good as he was.”

Tacitus was competitive again as a 4-year-old, gaining a third graded-stakes score with an 8 3/4-length romp in the GII Suburban S. at Belmont and later placing in the GI Woodward H. and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S.

He retired after his 5-year-old season with earnings of over $3.7 million, competing exclusively against graded stakes company after breaking his maiden and running in the money in all but five of those 15 graded starts.

“Tacitus was such a good racehorse,” Taylor said. “He won the Wood Memorial, the Tampa Bay Derby and the Suburban. Two of those used to be Grade I races so he just didn't win them at the right time. He has a beautiful pedigree and we think he could be a great stallion. We're very fortunate to have a royally-bred horse like him at Taylor Made.”

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Owned in partnership by Don Alberto, Juddmonte Farms, and Taylor Made Stallions, Tacitus will stand for a fee of $10,000 S&N terms and a breeding right program will also be offered.

“I knew he had to be a champion when I first jumped on him,” jockey Jose Ortiz told US Racing. “I love everything about him. He's got a great stride, and he's very athletic.”

A maiden winner at second asking for trainer Bill Mott, Tacitus was the 1 1/4-length winner of the GII Tampa Bay Derby in his 3-year-old debut, stopping the clock in 1:41.90, just 0.15 seconds off the track record. The homebred then overcame serious trouble in the first turn to land the GII Wood Memorial S., cementing a spot in the gate for the GI Kentucky Derby, where he fought on bravely to cross the line fourth, placed third. He maintained his position near the top of the sophomore class for the balance of the season, finishing runner-up in the GI Belmont S., GI Runhappy Travers S. and GII Jim Dandy S. before closing the season with a third against older rivals in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Tacitus proved an impressive winner of the 2020 GII Suburban H. at Belmont Park, scoring by 8 3/4 lengths in 1:59.51. He was subsequently second in the GI Woodward H. and third in the Gold Cup. His current record stands at 4-4-3 from 17 starts for earnings of $3,767,350.

Eclipse Award winner Close Hatches is a full-sister to SW & MGISP Lockdown, while the further female family includes the talented G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Siskin (First Defence) and GI United Nations H. hero Senure (Nureyev).

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Consigned by Juddmonte as a racing or stallion prospect, Maximus Aurelius is a full brother to multiple graded stakes winner Tacitus.

Captain Ginny B, a 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo, brought the sale's second-highest price of $12,000 from JBS Stable. Consigned by Winchester Equine, agent for Michael Scardina, Captain Ginny B is out of the stakes-winning Big Brown mare Red Sashay and from the family of such graded stakes winners as Halory Hunter and Van Nistelrooy. She was offered as a racing or broodmare prospect.

The one-day mixed August Digital Sale grossed $96,000 for nine horses. Summary results are available by clicking here.

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