All Tucked Up

I think I saw a very, very special filly debut at Grand River last night. All Tucked Up, a two year-old daughter of Western Ideal, won at first asking in 1:59.2. 1:59.2, big deal, right? Wrong. She paced her own last half in :56.0 and flashed a freakish, :27.2, turn of foot in the last quarter, all while being hand driven. She sure looks like the real thing.

Her driver, Randy Waples, seems to think so, too. I spoke to him this morning to and he was still beside himself. I learned that both he and Austin had an inkling that she was a good filly even through her early schooling efforts and especially after her initial qualifying effort at Mohawk on July 13.

Speed aside, Waples was equally impressed with All Tucked Up's professionalism. "She's as smart as a whip and looks after herself. Last night's mile was huge, especially when you consider that I pretty much stopped her in the first turn to get around some trouble. She's the perfect size, good-gaited and has a big engine." Needless to say, Waples said he was going to take some time this morning to further investigate the Stakes engagements that the filly has ahead of her.

Be sure to add All Tucked Up to your list of horses to watch in the weeks ahead. Her debut suggests she's one worthy of the attention.