A pair of highly touted sophomores returned to make their 4-year-old debuts with mixed results Sunday. First Captain (Curlin), sent off the 4-5 favorite in a seven-furlong allowance at Gulfstream Sunday, looked to have left himself too much to do before making a furious late rally to win by a head in his first start since finishing third in the Curlin S. last summer. The 'TDN Rising Star' and $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling won last year's GIII Dwyer S. for West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Bobby Flay and Woodford Racing and trainer Shug McGaughey.
Less successful on return was Summer Wind Equine's homebred Triple Tap (Tapit), a half-brother to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah who was making his first start since finishing fourth in the Dec. 26 GI Malibu S. in a seven-furlong optional claimer at Santa Anita. The 1-5 favorite, facing just three rivals, chased pacesetting Fore Left (Twirling Candy), but was hemmed in by Dark Vadar (Tale of Ekati) for much of the stretch. Finally finding clear sailing, Triple Tap made late progress, but could do no better than third as Dark Vadar nipped Fore Left for the win.
Triple Tap, tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his debut win at Santa Anita last March, added a Nov. 5 optional claimer at Del Mar before suffering his first loss when well-beaten behind Flightline (Tapit) in the Malibu.
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