Tapbyangels Becomes First Winner for Tap Back
Tapbyangels became the first winner for Barton Thoroughbreds’ freshman sire Tap Back when the 2-year-old gelding won by 2 1/4 lengths in a maiden $25,000 claiming race Aug. 1 at Emerald Downs. Tapbyangels had previously been second on debut.
The California-bred out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Winning Sis is trained by Scott Tubbs. Tapbyangels was piloted to victory by Carlos Montalvo and earned $9,120 in winning the race for owners Circle T Racing and Steve Haahr.
The five-furlong dirt race saw Tapbyangels make a surge from third place, three lengths off the lead, to rally to first in a time of :58.49. The winner returned $5.92 for a $2 bet.
A dark bay or brown bred by Richard Barton Enterprises in Santa Ynez, Calif., Tapbyangels was purchased by Tubbs in the Oct. 2024 Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s Fall Mixed Sale for $3,000.
Tap Back, who entered stud in 2022, is an 8-year-old son of multiple grade 1 winner Einstein . During his racing career, Tap Back posted a 2-1-1 record in eight starts and earned $183,550 for owner Richard Barton. His most notable win came in the 2019 Golden State Juvenile Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Also as a 2-year-old, he ran third in the 2019 I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar after a victorious debut there.
Tap Back stood this year at Barton Thoroughbreds for $2,500.
