NEWS: RACING

Tax Package wraps up a victory in Spa debut

Sunday, July 20th, 2014
Adam Coglianese

Adam Coglianese

by Sarah Mace

Tax Package, a colt by Pioneerof the Nile, kicked off Saratoga’s first Sunday card with a strong performance in a 5 1/2-furlong, $73,000 maiden special weight for New York-bred 2-year-olds.

Owned by Klaravich Stables Inc. in partnership with William H. Lawrence and trained by Chad Brown, Tax Package came into his debut with a steady series of Saratoga drills behind him dating back to early May, including two solid moves out of the gate.

One of six first-time starters in the field of eight, Tax Package settled in fourth after breaking from post six under Irad Ortiz, Jr., then moved into third as Navy Blue shot to the front from post two and opened up daylight on the field through a strong opening quarter-mile in 22.37.

Rounding the far turn Tax Package advanced in company three-to-four wide, and took over the lead in upper stretch before becoming locked in battle with second-time starter Thank You, who had moved up from sixth in the turn.

In the final stages Tax Package managed to shake off his stubborn rival with a quick burst of speed and went on to get the win by a decisive 1 1/2 lengths. Thank You in second just kept a nose in front of advancing Broman homebred Thirst for Glory who finished third. Following Thirst for Glory across the line were Navy Blue, Cosmo Storm, Desert Million, G R’s Giant and Sandler. The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs over a fast track was 1:05.87; the win by Tax Package put his trainer Chad Brown on the board with his first victory of the meet. [VIDEO]

Bred by Grapestock LLC  and George Reeb and foaled on February 4, 2012, Tax Package is the first offspring of D’ Country, a stakes-placed Ontario-bred daughter of out of D’wildcat who won going both short and long at Woodbine. The colt was purchased by Nick de Meric for $170,000 at last summer’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale.

Currently D’ Country has a yearling filly by Posse and a weanling colt by Soaring Empire.

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