Oceanport, N.J. – Whispering Oaks Farm LLC’s Tip Tap Tapizar sat behind the early speed before angling out for the stretch drive and wearing down Holiday Bonus in the shadow of the wire to win the $100,000 Sapling Stakes before a Sunday crowd of 11,864 at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, who has now trained six Sapling winners, Tip Tap Tapizar paid $5.40, $2.80 and $2.10 as the favorite in the field of seven 2-year-old colts and geldings.Holiday Bonus, who checked in a neck back in second, completed the $16.40 exacta and paid $3 and $2.10.It was another 3 ¼ lengths back to Sonic Mule, who paid $2.20 to show.

“I know my horse has plenty of speed,” said winning jockey Paco Lopez.“I took a hold of him early and let others go out to the front.I ran into some traffic trouble down the backside, but nothing serious.When we turned for home I angled him out and he just took off.”

A Louisiana-bred colt by Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Tapizar from the Storm Cat mare Counterpoise, Tip Tap Tapizar has a record of 2-1-1 from four starts, good for earnings of $133,060.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Monday, Sept. 5 for a special nine-race Labor Day program.Monday also marks the Day 3 of the BBQ and Craft Beer Festival.Gates open 11:30 a.m., first post is set for 12:50 p.m.