Tapit Trice advances to third place in Derby Dozen

His ride in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) got off to a rough start, with him losing about two distances at half-time, though this pony’s athleticism quickly brought him back to life. race again. That allowed him to do a smooth stalking run, and in the second race in a row, like the one at Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) December 17, he shot through a large vertical hole in the inside. to exit on the second turn. His San Felipe was the fastest since 2015 and hit a base speed figure of 108, although his Ragozin Sheets and Thoro-Graph numbers were downgraded slightly due to his ground-saving ride he.

Initially nearing the required speed in Rebel, he got stuck in traffic on the second turn and at the beginning, only to move on and take fourth place. He previously won a tier one option claimant stylishly during his quick stint at Oaklawn. Months earlier, he had finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup for minors and second in the Champagne Stakes (G1). Easy half-mile workout on: March 50 at the Fair Grounds, with likely the next Arkansas or Blue Grass Derby.

After scraping his leg in San Felipe March 4, he resumed training last week and on March 14 he zipped six stretches at Santa Anita in 1:11 4/ 5. His Derby involvement will depend on how he performs in one of the premier Derby prep games early next month. Based on historical trends, he will likely need a 1-2 finish to secure enough qualifying points to safely get through to Derby, although a third might be enough. Lots of talent with three grades, including two in 1st grade.

Trainer Keith Desormeaux is weighing this pony’s options after its breakout race in Rebel. He can bring him back in the Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass or another final prep, or bring him back by waiting for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6. With 57 qualifying points. , he safely won a spot at the starting gate. The tumultuous rides from Reincarnation and Verification worked in his favor in Rebel and perhaps the slip helped him too, but Confident Game is a quality pony.

After winning the Resurrection Star (G2) Stock on February 18, trainer Brad Cox chose to keep the foal for training at Fair Grounds rather than sending it back to Oaklawn, where it has been trained. to the Resurrection Star. That doesn’t mean the Louisiana Derby will be his next game. The two half-mile workouts since Rebel—and the less demanding five-mile workouts—suggest that heavier workouts are still to come, raising the odds he’ll be running early next month.

Despite leading Reincarnation and Verification in the rebellion, he trailed those two in the Derby Dozen standings — as well as the Confident Win Game — due to how the race went. The pace was fast, and this 3-year-old, being left out very early, had a smooth ride, skating from the second turn and finishing well. Getting closer, getting close to a lot of opponents in a race like the 20-horse Derby can be a challenge unless he can do a Mine That Bird-like gliding ride.