Capensis

Capensis, a Tapit colt bred by Stonestreet Stables, was bought for $2 million by Eclipse Throughbred Partners, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway Stable and Winchell Thorougbreds at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale. Stonestreet retained an ownership interest in the colt, who did not start until age 3.

He made a very impressive debut on July 7, 2022 at Belmont Park for trainer Todd Pletcher, taking a 1 1/16-mile turf race by five lengths. Off of that debut, Capensis was sent off as the even-money favorite in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race on turf at Saratoga, but he was unable to overcome the far outside post and traveled wide around both turns en route to a sixth-place finish.

Even with that defeat, Capensis was still bet down from 8-1 morning-line odds and made the 8-5 post-time favorite in his third career race and stakes debut, the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 New Kent Virginia Derby. With Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, he sat a perfect stalking trip through the backstretch, made headway in the far turn, and then exploded in the stretch to win by a widening two lengths.

Capensis is out of the Grade 1-winning Unbridled’s Song mare Tara’s Tango, who is a half-sister to three graded stakes winners.