Like his stablemate and 8-5 morning-line favorite Disco Time, Tappan Street was headed down the Triple Crown trail a year ago and impressed with a win in the Florida Derby (G1) over this track, stamping himself the one to beat heading into Kentucky Derby week in Louisville.
Unfortunately, the Derby road claimed him as another high-profile victim, and he was diagnosed with a condylar fracture after his final pre-Run for the Roses workout under the Twin Spires a week before the race.
Subsequent surgery and a lengthy layoff followed, and after an 8 ½ month recuperation period, the Into Mischief colt returned to win an allowance race five weeks ago. He’s been working about every week for the past two months, so he’s surely fit.
As the only horse who defeated Derby winner, likely champion, and Horse of the Year Sovereignty in 2025, we know the talent to take on this field is there.
Hard to say where Tappan Street fits in. His lone start after a long layoff was impressive but begs the “who did he beat?” question. He beat Sovereignty and offers value at a square price. At 6-1, he offers significant value in both straight wagers and anchoring all exotic bets.
Notes: This colt was a $1 million Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling in 2023 … Made every one of his four starts over Gulfstream Park’s main track … Breeder Blue Haven Farm also bred and campaigned his dam, Virgina Key (by the recently deceased standout sire Distorted Humor) and she RNAd for $90,000 as a Keeneland yearling in 2016, so they raced her as a homebred… Virginia Key is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Grace Adler and Grade 2 winner Pyrenees… co-owners WinStar Farm and CHC, Inc. were also partners on 2022 Pegasus winner Life is Good.
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