Vertical Threat won his third career stakes Friday night at Charles Town Races with a front-running tally in the $150,000 Russell Road S.
The 4-year-old son of Tapiture was a two-time stakes winner last year and was making just his second start of 2021 after getting the first half of this year off. The imposing bay colt is one of Tapiture’s seven stakes horses of 2021. With 97 winners of 125 races to date in 2021, Tapiture leads the Third-Crop Sire list in both categories.
Vertical Threat was hustled away from the gate and immediately caught up in a speed duel with Wind of Change (BRZ). The two zipped through a half-mile in :45.47, with Vertical Threat a half-length to the good. Vertical Threat began to pull clear entering the stretch and powered home to a 3 1/2-length win in 1:24.50 for seven furlongs on a fast track.
The winner is owned by MyRacehorse and Slam Dunk Racing and was bred in Kentucky by Albert and Teresa Davis. Vertical Threat has four wins in seven starts and has earned $269,850. MyRacehorse purchased Vertical Threat at the 2019 OBS Spring 2-year-old Sale for $100,000.
