Cruising to a 3 1/4-length victory, Tap to Open captured the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (G2) for sophomore fillies on Nov. 7 at Belmont Park. The impressive performance earned her a graded stakes title while boosting confidence among her team for a promising 4-year-old season in 2027.
“She proved her pedigree for nine furlongs or beyond as soon as she handled two turns and longer trips,” stated trainer Brad Cox following Tap to Open’s success. “Even though today’s race was a single-turn mile and a sixteenth, extra distance will suit her even better as we move ahead. Today’s distance proved to be ideal.”
Sired by Tapit and out of the Indian Charlie mare I’ll Take Charge, Tap to Open entered the Mother Goose off a closing, wide-trip fourth-place finish behind Bodacious Bay in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 19. Boasting four wins from eight lifetime outings, she had previously captured the Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx before running in the Cotillion.
Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Bodacious Bay could not replicate her front-running success from the Cotillion. She engaged in a contested lead alongside 17-1 outsider Iron Orchard through brisk half-mile fractions of :45.94 along the backstretch, eventually giving way in the stretch to finish fourth as the swift early pace took its toll.
Rider Manny Franco settled Tap to Open quietly in fourth along the fence, lying just 1 1/2 lengths off the pace. Spotting a gap along the inside as they swung into the lane, Franco directed Tap to Open ($12.72) forward, accelerating effortlessly into the lead to secure a comfortable win, covering the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.72.
“Our plan was to give her something to chase, as we’ve learned she finishes stronger when tracking target horses in the straightaway. She executed everything perfectly today and put on a commanding display,” Cox commented.
Making her graded stakes debut, Answered Prayers closed from the back of the pack to take runner-up honors for trainer Bill Mott, who had already secured a pair of stakes victories on the afternoon’s program. The Speightstown filly finished two lengths clear of third-place finisher Tahlequah.
According to Cox, the upcoming goal for Tap to Open will likely be the Grade 3 Comely Stakes at nine furlongs on Dec. 6 at Belmont Park.
Following a sensational, unbeaten 2-year-old campaign in 2025 and a full year away from competition, a noticeably “rusty” Ted Noffey lacked his championship spark, coming home fifth by 12 1/2 lengths in the $200,000 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on Nov. 7 in his first outing since capturing the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31, 2025.
Making a postponed 3-year-old season debut, Spendthrift Farm’s 2025 Eclipse Award-winning juvenile male champion experienced his first defeat after winning his prior four outings. He had spent the majority of the current year out of action following a bone bruise diagnosed in late January.
Taking top honors in the Dwyer with a dominant performance was Stimulate ($20.56), who launched a bid from fourth place, assumed control down the lane, and pulled away to win by 7 1/2 lengths, stopping the clock in a sharp 1:33.64 for the mile.
“It was a visually impressive effort, and the final time certainly validated it,” stated Mott, who trains Stimulate.
With Junior Alvarado aboard, Stimulate secured his third victory out of five lifetime appearances.
Partnered with jockey John Velazquez, Ted Noffey spent most of the running near the rear of the field and offered no closing response.
“The long absence left him a bit off his game. While you always hope for victory with an undefeated juvenile champion, we remained realistic considering he hadn’t raced in 13 months, making this a tough test,” remarked trainer Todd Pletcher.
Pletcher indicated he plans to consult with the Spendthrift team before determining the next move for Ted Noffey.
