Capensis, an Eaton Sales $2 million yearling at the 2020 Keeneland September sale, won his stakes debut Tuesday at Colonial Downs with a two-length victory in the $300,000 Virginia Derby (G3).
Eaton consigned the steely gray yearling on behalf of his breeder Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, LLC. The winning bidders were Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Robert LaPenta, Gainesway Stable, Winchell Thoroughbreds, and Stonestreet.
Capensis, who won at first asking on July 2 at Belmont Park, was midpack for the first six furlongs of Tuesday’s 1 1/8-mile race. He made a three-wide move on the final turn to get withing two lengths of the lead coming into the stretch, then with a swift turn of foot in the final furlong, took command and won going away in 1:48.15 on the firm turf.
Capensis, 3, has now won two of three starts and earned $230,075.
Capensis is the 155th stakes winner for his sire Tapit. He is out of Tara’s Tango, herself the winner of the Santa Margarita S. (G1) and two other graded races. Her siblings include graded winners Visionaire, Scarlet Strike and Madison’s Luna.
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