The Tabulator wins the Iroquois Stakes
(Coady Photo/Churchill Downs)

The Tabulator; winner of the Iroquois Stakes

by Alastair Bull

After producing a notable 2017 Kentucky Derby runner from his first crop, Darby Dan Farm stallion Dialed In has had another son lay the first marker on the way to the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

Florida Derby (G1) winner Dialed In began his stud career at a $7,500 fee, but it was doubled after he became the leading freshman sire for 2016.

Gunnevera made the biggest contribution to his 2016 tally by winning the Saratoga Special (G2) and the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3). This year he finished first in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), earned grade one placings in the Travers Stakes and Florida Derby, and finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby.

It hasn’t taken long for a Derby contender to emerge from Dialed In’s second crop, as his son The Tabulator won the first race in the 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the 1 1/16-mile Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Sept. 16.

Beginning well while his main rival Hollywood Star was slow from the gates, The Tabulator moved clear at the top of the stretch, and his threequarter-length margin would have been greater but for running greenly toward the finish line.

Dialed In has had six stakes winners in 2017, at a variety of distances – they include six-furlong stakes winners like Chalon and Ruffenuff, along with Gunnevera and It’s Your Nickel, third in the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby (G3).

The Tabulator’s dam Fly to the Stars (Giant’s Causeway) has produced five winners, including Star Via Strada, third in the 1 1/16-mile California Oaks. Further back he’s related to Calibrachoa, twice winner of the six-furlong Tom Fool Handicap (G3), and Bellamy Road, winner of the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (G1) and second in the 1 ¼-mile Travers Stakes (G1).

Basically, there’s enough in the pedigree to suggest The Tabulator could stay 1 ¼ miles, but not with certainty. The best evidence will come from the way he finishes off his races as the distances increase.

Hollywood Star is also worth following from a Kentucky Derby perspective, based on his strong-finishing second and his pedigree – he’s by Malibu Moon, sire of 2013 Derby winner Orb, out of Hollywood Story, a multiple grade I winner who was effective up to 1 1/8 miles.

Additional Prep Race Pedigree Profiles:

BULL: Iroquois Stakes, The Tabulator

BULL: FrontRunner Stakes, Bolt d'Oro

BULL: Beresford Stakes, Saxon Warrior (JPN)