Favored at 8-5, Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway's TAPIT TRICE (c, 3, Tapit–Danzatrice, by Dunkirk) was forced to make several runs, but in the end outgamed perfect trip Verifying (Justify) to take out Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. Under a hustling ride early from gate one by Luis Saez, the $1.3-million Keeneland September graduate was consigned to a midfield trip around the first turn as Verifying set up shop a couple of lengths behind longshot pacesetter Clear the Air (Ransom the Moon). Steered out into the clear down the backstretch, Tapit Trice improved into a forward position but was four wide at the five-eighths and continued to chart a wide course into and around the turn. Floated a bit wider by Verifying into the the stretch, Tapit Trice joined that one in earned a furlong from home and got the better of a good battle for a first Grade I victory. It was the second winner of the Blue Grass in three years for Tapit, whose multiple champion son Essential Quality decisioned a game Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) in a finish reminiscent of Saturday's. Sales history: $1,300,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. O-Whisper Hill Farm & Gainesway; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd (KY); T-Todd Pletcher.
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