Tapit Trice Advances to Third in Derby Dozen

1. Forte  

Owner/Trainer: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable/Todd Pletcher

Pedigree: Violence  —Queen Caroline , by Blame   

Breeder: South Gate Farm (KY)

The gap between him and the rest of the Derby contenders expanded this past week when Zedan Racing Stable announced that the promising Arabian Knight  would be away from racing until the summer. He was one of the few that seemed to have the talent to threaten Forte, the 2-year-old champion of 2022. Trainer Todd Pletcher indicated after this colt's splashy victory in the March 4 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) that the April 1 Florida Derby (G1) is the upcoming target. That is a race Pletcher used to propel Always Dreaming   to Derby glory in 2017, giving him his second victory in the Run for the Roses.

2. Instant Coffee   

Gold Square/Brad Cox

Bolt d'Oro  —Follow No One , by Uncle Mo   

Sagamore Farm (KY)

With the defection of Arabian Knight from the Derby picture, he moves to second in the Derby Dozen Rankings, primarily based on the company he has defeated. He beat subsequent Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Confidence Game  in taking the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in January at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and among those behind him in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last fall at Churchill Downs included Red Route One  and Cyclone Mischief , both graded placed this year. The March 25 Louisiana Derby (G2) appears next for this 3-year-old.

3. Tapit Trice  

Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable/Todd Pletcher

Tapit  —Danzatrice , by Dunkirk  

Gainesway Thoroughbreds (KY)

Passing more than half the field in the final furlong, he won the March 11 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) by two lengths—noteworthy considering he did not appear to run near his full potential. Slow into stride and toiling at the back of the pack, it was not until he was in the clear late that he kicked into gear. This Blue Grass Stakes (G1)-bound colt did not run down any leading Derby prospects at Tampa, however. Runner-up Classic Car Wash  and third-place Classic Legacy  were 85-1 and 179-1 odds in the latest Kentucky Derby Future Wager. 

Watch: Tapit Trice Overcomes Slow Break in Tampa Bay Derby

4. Reincarnate  

SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan/Tim Yakteen

Good Magic  —Allanah , by Scat Daddy 

Woods Edge Farm (KY)

Another trip to Oaklawn for the April 1 Arkansas Derby (G1) seems on deck for the Sham Stakes (G3) winner, who, despite losing the Feb. 25 Rebel at Oaklawn Park, caught the eye most with his third-place finish. Farther off the pace than accustomed when racing over a sloppy track for the first time, he rallied to finish just 2 1/2 lengths behind victorious Confidence Game after getting steadied in midstretch. Sharp subsequent solo breeze in :47 4/5 March 9 at Santa Anita Park.

5. Practical Move 

Leslie Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., and Roger Beasley/Tim Yakteen

Practical Joke  —Ack Naughty , by Afleet Alex  

Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners (KY)

His trip in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) began inauspiciously, with him losing about two lengths at the break, though this colt's athleticism quickly put him back in the race. That allowed him to carve out a smooth stalking trip, and for the second straight race, just as in the Dec.17 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), he shot through a large hole along the inside exiting the second turn. His San Felipe was the fastest since 2015 and earned a 108 Equibase Speed Figure, though his Ragozin Sheets and Thoro-Graph numbers were downgraded a bit due to his ground-saving trip. 

6. Geaux Rocket Ride 

Pin Oak Stud/Richard Mandella

Candy Ride  —Beyond Grace , by Uncle Mo 

OXO Equine (KY)

When a lightly raced horse experiences something for the first time—such as much tougher company, a new distance, or a difficult trip—it is not uncommon for them to take a step back. But this colt gave his all despite facing challenging conditions in the San Felipe, finishing second to Practical Move. This horse raced wider than that rival and did some of the dirty work, occupying pacesetting and fourth-place finisher Hejazi  early. Chief drawback is his limited experience. Should he run well in the April 8 Santa Anita Derby (G1) in another anticipated matchup with Practical Move and proceed to Louisville, he will have only three starts. 

7. Verifying   

Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg, Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor/Brad Cox

Justify  —Diva Delite , by Repent  

Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm (KY)

Initially close to a demanding pace in the Rebel, he fell back in traffic on the second turn and in early stretch, only to come on again and grab fourth. Previously he stylishly won a first-level allowance optional claimer in quick time at Oaklawn. Months earlier, he was sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second in the Champagne Stakes (G1). Easy half-mile workout in :50 March 11 at Fair Grounds, with the Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass likely next.

8. National Treasure 

SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan/Tim Yakteen

Quality Road  —Treasure , by Medaglia d'Oro   

Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds (KY)

After being scratched from the March 4 San Felipe with a sore foot, he resumed training last week, and on March 14 he zipped six furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:11 4/5. His Derby participation will depend on how he performs in one of the top-tier Derby preps early next month. Based on historical trends, he will likely need a 1-2 finish to secure enough qualifying points to safely make the Derby, though a third could be enough. Plenty talented with three graded placings, including twice in grade 1s.

National Treasure galloping this morning. pic.twitter.com/YUWkXtmCtN

— Ernie Belmonte (@ErnieBPhoto93) March 14, 2023

9. Confidence Game   

Don't Tell My Wife Stables/Keith Desormeaux

Candy Ride—Eblouissante , by Bernardini 

Summer Wind Equine (KY)

Trainer Keith Desormeaux is weighing this colt's options after his breakthrough race in the Rebel. He could bring him back in the Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass, or another final prep, or start him fresh in the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1). With 57 qualifying points, he has safely secured a spot in the starting gate. Troubled trips from Reincarnate and Verifying worked in his favor in the Rebel and perhaps the slop also helped him, but Confidence Game is a quality colt. 

10. Rocket Can 

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations/Bill Mott

Into Mischief  —Tension by Tapit 

Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY)

Not as flashy as others on this list, but the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner is honest. He has been first or second in four consecutive routes, with his only defeats around two turns coming behind Forte in the Fountain of Youth and to Confidence Game in an allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs last fall. In addition to that runner-up finish in Louisville, he also broke his maiden over that track. He could travel to Oaklawn next for the Arkansas Derby, trainer Bill Mott told Daily Racing Form this week.

11. Angel of Empire  

Albaugh Family Stables/Brad Cox

Classic Empire  —Armony's Angel, by To Honor and Serve 

Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine (PA)

After winning the Feb. 18 Risen Star Stakes (G2), trainer Brad Cox opted to keep the colt in training at Fair Grounds rather than send him back to Oaklawn, where he had trained leading up to the Risen Star. That does not mean the Louisiana Derby will be his next start. Two half-mile workouts since the Rebel—and not more demanding five-furlong drills—hint that heavier training is still to come, raising the likelihood of running him early next month.

12. Red Route One 

Winchell Thoroughbreds/Steve Asmussen

Gun Runner  —Red House , by Tapit 

Winchell Thoroughbreds (KY)

Though ahead of Reincarnate and Verifying in the Rebel, he trails those two in the Derby Dozen rankings—as well as victorious Confidence Game—given how the race unfolded. The pace was hot, and this 3-year-old, far behind early, had a trouble-free journey, sling-shotting out of the second turn and closing well. Being a deep closer, passing nearly so many rivals in a race like the 20-horse Derby could prove a challenge unless he can work out a Mine That Bird-like rail-skimming trip.