Daughter of GISW Hard Not To Love Wins First Out at Horseshoe Indy

So Like Silk, a near seven-figure Keeneland September Yearling purchase, puts in a winning debut for OXO Equine.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:21pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the powerful, surging motion of a Thoroughbred racehorse, with the horse's form dissolving into energetic brushstrokes, conceptually representing the raw athleticism and excitement of a winning debut performance.The debut win of So Like Silk, a promising daughter of accomplished mare Hard Not To Love, showcases the continued excellence of the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds breeding program.Indianapolis Today

The first foal out of GI La Brea Stakes winner Hard Not To Love, So Like Silk (Tapit), drew outside and ran wide for most of the six-furlong race at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but was able to catch longshot Somnambulist (Liam's Map) in time to earn the win in her debut. Bred by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds, the filly was purchased by OXO Equine for $925,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Why it matters

This win by So Like Silk, a daughter of the accomplished mare Hard Not To Love, showcases the continued success of the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds breeding program. The filly's impressive debut performance and high-priced yearling purchase price also highlight the ongoing demand for quality Tapit offspring in the Thoroughbred marketplace.

The details

Handled by Eclipse-winning apprentice jockey Axel Concepcion, So Like Silk spun for home with a target to catch in 13-1 longshot Somnambulist (Liam's Map) and was able to run that more experienced rival down in time to earn the win. So Like Silk was bred by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds, who purchased her dam for $3.2-million at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

  • So Like Silk made her debut on opening day at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The players

So Like Silk

A 3-year-old filly by Tapit out of the GI La Brea Stakes winner Hard Not To Love, who was purchased by OXO Equine for $925,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Hard Not To Love

The dam of So Like Silk, Hard Not To Love is a Grade I-winning mare who was purchased by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds for $3.2 million at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

OXO Equine

The ownership group that purchased So Like Silk for $925,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Axel Concepcion

The Eclipse-winning apprentice jockey who rode So Like Silk to victory in her debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Whisper Hill Farm

The breeding operation that co-bred So Like Silk and purchased her dam, Hard Not To Love, for $3.2 million in 2021.

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What they’re saying

“So Like Silk put in an impressive winning effort in her debut, showcasing the continued quality of the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds breeding program.”

— William Walden, Trainer

What’s next

So Like Silk will likely be pointed towards stakes races in the coming months as she looks to build on her impressive debut win.

The takeaway

The success of So Like Silk, a daughter of the accomplished mare Hard Not To Love, demonstrates the ongoing demand for quality Tapit offspring in the Thoroughbred marketplace. Her debut win also highlights the continued excellence of the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds breeding program.