Tapit Trice rolls late for Tampa Bay Derby

Mar 12, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Tapit Trice had
supporters concerned during the early stages of Saturday’s
$360,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), breaking last and racing far back in the
12-horse field, but the 1-2 favorite came flying through the stretch to prove
best at the wire. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt picked up 50 points toward a
Kentucky Derby berth while making his stakes debut in the Road to
the Kentucky Derby series qualifier, and Luis Saez was up on the gray son
of Tapit.

Owned by Mandy Pope’s Whispering Hill Farm and breeder Gainesway
Thoroughbreds, Tapit Trice has now won three straight since dropping his career
debut last November. The $1.3 million Keeneland September sales yearling broke his
maiden at Aqueduct in mid-December, and Tapit Trice garnered serious
Kentucky Derby respect when capturing a mile Gulfstream allowance by eight
lengths on the Feb. 4 Holy Bull undercard.

He’ll need to break better in future engagements, but Tapit
Trice overcame adversity on a speed-friendly Tampa track to score by a
two-length margin on Saturday, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.37.

Pletcher notched a record-extending sixth victory in the
Tampa Bay Derby. The Hall of Famer’s previous wins came via Tapwrit (2017),
Destin (2016), Carpe Diem (2015), Verrazano (2013), and Limestone (2004).

Classic Car Wash, who was off at 13-1 following a third in
the Feb. 11 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, offered a big move into contention
on the far turn and struck the front in midstretch, overhauling pacesetter
Dreaming of Kona, who sped forth to establish a contested pace in :23.63,
:46.96, and 1:11.39.

Tapit Trice settled in 11th along the backstretch and advanced
while wide on the far turn, but he was still eighth entering the stretch. The
well-built sophomore rapidly picked up the leaders after straightening for
home, rolling past Classic Car Wash late to prevail. The runner-up was two
lengths better than 6-1 second choice Classic Legacy, who got on track when
clear in the stretch to close for third.

Prairie Hawk and Lord Miles came next in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Kentucky
Derby qualifying points were awarded on a 20-15-10-5 basis for second
through fifth. Dreaming of Kona, Shesterkin, Groveland, Zydeceaux, Mikey Bananas,
Champions Dream, and Freedom Road rounded out the order of finish.

Kentucky-bred Tapit Trice is out of the multiple
stakes-winning Dunkirk mare Danzatrice, a half-sister to 2018 champion juvenile
filly Jaywalk.