Tyler's Tribe to Return in Oaklawn's Hot Springs Stakes

Iowa-bred sensation Tyler's Tribe , away from racing for several months after twice bleeding from respiratory issues in races in November and December, is being pointed to the inaugural $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile April 1 at Oaklawn Park, co-owner and trainer Tim Martin said March 23.

Tyler's Tribe is unraced since a third-place finish in the $150,000 Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs Dec. 9 at Oaklawn. The multiple stakes winner then received approximately a month off after he bled through the diuretic Lasix during the race, Martin said. He also bled and was eased in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) Nov. 4 at Keeneland when competing without Lasix.

Tyler's Tribe moved closer to his 3-year-old debut by recording a five-furlong bullet workout in :59 2/5 over a fast track Thursday morning at Oaklawn under regular rider Kylee Jordan. It was the gelding's fourth work since his winter break.

"He's been great all along," Martin said. "No problem. Last time, clear, clean, no blood, no mucus. I'm working him on Lasix, obviously, but he's been good so far."

Tyler's Tribe won his first five career starts, all dirt sprints at Prairie Meadows in Iowa, by a combined 59 3/4 front-running lengths before his difficulties at the end of the year. A gelded son of Sharp Azteca  , he is 5-0-1 from seven starts with earnings of $320,169 for Martin and co-owner Thomas Lepic.