A close second on his Aug. 8 debut behind Gaudreau (Nyquist) and ahead of next-out 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard U. S. S. Valor (War of Will) (105 Beyer), Gainesway Stable, Shamrock Stables and Michael Mackin's COACH POPE (c, 2, Tapit–Gamble's Ghost, by Ghostzapper) cruised home under a double hammerlock from Jose Ortiz to graduate by the better part of a dozen lengths to secure 'Rising Star' honors of his own going a mile Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.Crunched at the windows to the tune of 2-5, the $350,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling broke a bit to his right, causing some interference to those runners drawn immediately to his outside. Handy to the pace while riding the rail out of the chute, he was ultimately eased back to sit third behind a half in :45.79.Quickly off the fence and into the two path with 2 1/2 furlongs to race, Coach Pope quickly put a margin on his beaten rivals and was never out of second gear through the line, then offered a high-energy gallop out into the clubhouse turn.Coach Pope is the 57th 'Rising Star' for Tapit and his 11th beneath the Twin Spires.Sales history: $350,000 Ylg '25 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0. O-Gainesway Stable, Shamrock Stable & Michael Mackin; B-Tall Oaks Farm & Tapit Syndicate (KY); T-Ken McPeek travels to Louisville and secures the blowout W!@jose93_ortiz assists with a confident ride for trainer @KennyMcPeek.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/wyawVacz9S— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 12, 2026The post Tapit Colt Coach Pope Leaves His ‘Mark’ In ‘Rising Star’ Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.