Tappan Street - Kentucky Derby Context

A midpack stalker, Tappan Street exits a fine win in the Florida Derby (G1), surging to a clear lead in upper stretch and holding favored Sovereignty safe for a 1 1/4-length decision. He will look to get first run on deep closers in the Kentucky Derby (G1). After winning first time out at Gulfstream Park in late December, the early/presser improved nicely upon a runner-up effort in his stakes debut, the Holy Bull S. (G3). Tappan Street is lightly raced with only three starts, but the progressing colt owns strong connections and merits serious respect based on form.

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OWNER: Tappan Street races for the partnership of WinStar Farm (Kenny Troutt), CHC (Kit Ng), and Cold Press Racing. WinStar’s first Kentucky Derby appearance came via runner-up Bluegrass Cat in 2006, and the Central Kentucky farm campaigned 2010 winner Super Saver and 2018 Triple Crown hero Justify (in partnership). WinStar has compiled a 23-2-1-2 record in the Kentucky Derby. China Horse Club (CHC) co-owned Justify and Audible, who was third in 2018. Tappan Street will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for Cold Press Racing.

TRAINER: Brad Cox won his first attempt at the Kentucky Derby via disqualification, with Mandaloun being placed first in 2021, and Essential Quality was third the same year. The 45-year-old Louisville, Kentucky native has had multiple runners every year since then, recording a third with Angel of Empire in 2023 and a fourth with Catching Freedom last year. The two-time Eclipse Award winner also captured the Belmont (G1) with Essential Quality. His overall Kentucky Derby scorecard reads 11-1-0-2, and Cox also will saddle Final Gambit in this year’s field.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez finished first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby aboard Maximum Security, who was disqualified and placed 17th for interference. His best result from 10 other starts came aboard Essential Quality, who was elevated to third via disqualification in 2021. A 32-year-old native of Panama, Saez returned to win his first Belmont on Essential Quality, doubling up last year with Dornoch. 

BREEDER: Tappan Street will be the first Kentucky Derby starter for breeder Blue Heaven Farm (Adam Corndorf), who sold the bay Kentucky-bred for $1 million as a yearling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August sale.

SIRE: One of the world’s greatest sires, Into Mischief has produced Kentucky Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun (2020-21), and the 20-year-old stallion’s progeny earned more than $30 million in 2024, leading the North American general sire list for a sixth consecutive time. Only Bold Ruler (eight), the sire of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, has been leading sire more times than Into Mischief in the last century. By Harlan’s Holiday, Into Mischief owns a lengthy list of accolades, and Tappan Street will be one of his three Kentucky Derby starters this year (Citizen Bull and Sovereignty).

DAM: Tappan Street is the first stakes winner out of the Grade 2-placed Distorted Humor mare Virginia Key, who is also the dam of stakes-placed Distorted d’Oro. She’s a half-sister to Grade 1 juvenile winner Grace Adler and Pyrenees, winner of last year’s Pimlico Special (G3) at 1 3/16 miles. Tappan Street’s female family is geared toward Triple Crown distances. Distorted Humor, a leading general and freshman sire, counts 2003 Kentucky Derby hero Funny Cide among his 163 stakes winners. And while still looking to make a serious mark upon the Triple Crown, Distorted Humor has developed into a prominent broodmare sire, with Hall of Famer Arrogate, who established a North American record with more than $17.4 million in earnings, among his notable runners. Kentucky Derby contenders Citizen Bull and Sandman also count Distorted Humor as their broodmare sire.

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