How to bet the 2025 Tapit Stakes

An overflow field of 16 is entered in the opening day feature at Kentucky Downs, the $500,000 Tapit S. The one-mile and 70-yard test on the green attracted a well-matched cast, and I will search for value in the deep group. 

Tapit Wagers

• $12 win and place #10 Astronomer ($24)
• $4 exacta box 3,5,10 ($24)
• 50-cent trifecta 5,10 with 3,5,10 with all ($24)

Early speed was an especially dangerous commodity on the surface last campaign, and while my top pick doesn’t figure to lead the way from the break, he does have a measure of positional speed to stay in touch early before inching clear late. 

California import #10 Astronomer (8-1) is a one-mile specialist who showed nice improvement in his second run off the layoff last time when runner-up in a deep allowance event at Del Mar. Trained by Simon Callaghan, the six-year-old son of Air Force Blue was winless in 2024 but went close while placing in a pair of graded races, and the gelding has the quality to run with this cast for sure. If the Kentucky-bred likes the course, then he will be a major contender with Antonio Fresu coming in for the mount. 

The multiple Grade/Group 1 placed #5 Mountain Bear (5-1) will race as a gelding for the initial time and has appeal for conditioner Wesley Ward. By No Nay Never, the four-year-old has registered a pair of solid runs this season and will make his local debut in his third outing of the year. The dark bay Irish-bred drilled a bullet five-eighths on the Keeneland lawn in advance of this event, and his best might be good enough. Victor Espinoza will be on board. 

#3 Nineeleventurbo (12-1) is an enticing price for a horse that is proven at this venue and was a narrow runner-up in the event last summer. The Neil Drysdale pupil is not the most consistent runner in training, but he had a perfect prep for this when rallying late in the Wicker S. at Del Mar in his seasonal debut, and it’s hard to ignore horses that have run well over the course, in general. Florent Geroux, who piloted the son of More Than Ready in this tilt in 2024, will be in the silks once again.