Homebred PLENSA Returns to Kentucky Downs in Style

Mill Ridge Farm and Frank Garrison homebred PLENSA returned to the winner’s circle in impressive fashion Sunday, capturing the $500,000 Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs in track record time.

The 4-year-old son of Caravaggio, trained by Rusty Arnold and ridden by Axel Concepcion, overcame a slow start and a wide draw to deliver a thrilling finish. Settled near the back of the 11-horse field through the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile turf race, Plensa began to advance around the far turn, sweeping four-wide into the stretch before taking command. He held off a determined late charge from Vote No to prevail by a half-length in 1:41.71.

The victory marked Plensa’s second stakes win at Kentucky Downs, following his triumph in last year’s $2 million Gun Runner Stakes. He is now unbeaten in two starts over the unique Kentucky Downs course.

Bred by Mill Ridge Farm and Frank Garrison, Plensa is out of the Flatter mare Proximity Bias. Sunday’s victory brought his career earnings to $1,579,269 and added another memorable win as a homebred who continues to shine on one of racing’s biggest turf stages. [watch the replay below]