Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Disarm

Gun Runner is one of the hottest young sires in North America. Tapit is a veteran stallion who has topped the North American sire rankings three times. The cross of Gun Runner with Tapit mares has already produced several high-level racehorses, including 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Disarm.

Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and third in the Lexington (G3), Disarm is a homebred racing in the colors of Winchell Thoroughbreds. Winchell Thoroughbreds raced both Gun Runner and Tapit, and now the stable is reaping dividends by mixing the bloodlines of their two star stallions.

Gun Runner was an elite racehorse voted 2017 Horse of the Year after winning a bevy of Grade 1 races, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The previous year he ran third in the Kentucky Derby.

But for all his racing success, Gun Runner is proving to be as good or better as a stallion. His first crop of foals yielded champion two-year-old filly Echo Zulu, Preakness (G1) winner Early Voting, Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and Malibu (G1) winner Taiba, Hopeful (G1) hero Gunite, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Pappacap, Cotillion (G1) winner Society, and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) third-place finisher Wicked Halo, to name a few.

Society and Wicked Halo were produced by Tapit mares, just like Disarm. The cross has also produced Dreamlike, who finished a close third in the 2023 Wood Memorial (G2), and Red Route One, who placed in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Rebel (G2), and Southwest (G3) on the 2022-23 Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Now let’s dive into some specifics. Disarm’s dam is Easy Tap, who scored her lone victory in a one-mile maiden special weight at Remington Park. She’s proven more productive as a broodmare, foaling Bourbon (G3) runner-up Tap Daddy and Prairie Mile S. runner-up Total Tap, both capable route racers. Tap Daddy actually enjoyed an abundance of success after taking his talents to Venezuela, winning five local (not internationally recognized) Group 1 races and finishing second in three others.

This brings us to Tapit, the sire of Easy Tap and a source of stamina at stud. The list of long-winded Grade 1 dirt racers Tapit has sired goes on and on, and we’d need a book to describe them all in any detail. Suffice to say, Tapit is the sire of undefeated 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline plus four winners of the 1 1/2-mile Belmont (G1): Tonalist, Creator, Tapwrit, and Essential Quality.

Tapit’s daughters have produced many top-notch racehorses as well, including the above-mentioned Society and Wicked Halo. Other standouts include Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Cody’s Wish, Preakness (G1) third-place finisher Tenfold, Pacific Classic (G1) winner Tripoli, Japanese classic winner Gran Alegria, and Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Kingsbarns. The latter is an expected starter in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

Only time will tell if Disarm has the talent to take home top honors in the Kentucky Derby, but if he falls short, his pedigree won’t be to blame. He’s bred top and bottom to relish racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt.

Further Analysis on Disarm

• SCULLY: Disarm - Kentucky Derby Context
• MUCCIOLO: Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Disarm