O’NEILL’S SOY TAPATIO RALLIES TO TAKE $69,000 SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE BY ONE LENGTH UNDER APPRENTICE HERRERA

                ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2022)–A gate to wire maiden special weight winner in his most recent start, the Doug O’Neill-trained Soy Tapatio found himself off the pace today and he responded with an impressive one length victory in Santa Anita’s $69,000 allowance feature.  Ridden for the second time in a row by leading apprentice Diego Herrera, Soy Tapatio got a mile and one sixteenth in 1:45.95.

                Out-footed to the first turn, Soy Tapatio was last, about four lengths off pacesetter Mongolian Ford around the first turn, moved into fourth position while three-deep at the three furlong marker, but dropped back a bit while five-wide at the top of the lane and had four lengths to make up three sixteenths out.

                Hitting his best stride as he straightened up for the stretch drive, Soy Tapatio kept to his task in the middle of the track and won going away in an effort that suggests he’ll get better with additional distance. 

                “He didn’t get out there like I wanted him to, so we went to Plan B,” said Herrera, who notched the second of three eventual wins on the day.  “I took him to the outside so he didn’t get too much dirt in his face.  He’s one of those horses who runs with his head low, so I just took the long route but it seemed like he liked the distance and I think he’ll go further.”

                A horse who had shown steady improvement in the four starts since his debut Nov. 12 at Del Mar, Soy Tapatio was off as the 8-5 favorite and paid $5.20, $3.20 and $2.40.

                A $5,000 Keeneland January 2019 yearling purchase, Soy Tapatio is owned by Mercado Racing, LLC.  A 4-year-old gelding by Not This Time out of the Street Hero mare Rum Punch, he has two wins and as many thirds from five starts.  Soy Tapatio bagged $41,400 for the win, increasing his earnings to $101,480.

                In a determined effort under Edwin Maldonado, Mongolian Ford led until the final 20 yards and finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Divine Armor.  Off at 26-1, Mongolian Ford paid $17.20 and $6.80.

                Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Divine Armor, who was last turning for home, finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Holden the Lute.  Off at 4-1, Divine Armor paid $3.20 to show.

                Fractions on the race were 23.92, 48.52, 1:13.25 and 1:39.25.

                Racing resumes with first post time for a nine-race card on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.  Admission gates open at 10:30 a.m.