Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Disarm

Apr 21, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred Disarm ranks 18th on the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series leaderboard with 46 qualifying points for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The talented youngster punched his ticket for the Run for the Roses when finishing third in the $400,000 Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland on April 15, and earning six points in the process.

Disarm was unveiled on June 19 in a 5 1/2-furlong dash beneath the Twin Spires and made up for a tardy start to finish third, beaten two lengths. In his second start on the stretchout to seven panels, the son of Gun Runner put in a visually impressive close to dominate maiden special weight foes at Saratoga by 6 1/4 widening lengths.

DISARM puts in a five-furlong work in 1:00 under jockey @JRosarioJockey for trainer Steve Asmussen. pic.twitter.com/9HcG1fuVwV

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 24, 2023

The chestnut made his three-year-old debut at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 13, rallying to be a clear second in a one-mile allowance tilt. Facing graded stakes foes for the initial time at Fair Grounds in his next outing, he again displayed a solid closing punch to be runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (G2), which earned him 40 qualifying points. His lifetime line reads 5-1-2-2, $327,850.

Disarm is one of three black-type performers produced from the winning Tapit mare Easy Tap. He was preceded in stakes glory by his half-brother Tap Daddy, a champion stayer in Venezuela.

The colt has registered Brisnet Speed numbers of 91-94-97 from his trio of races in 2023, and the sophomore has given the impression of a prospect that will continue to move forward as the distances increase. His robust 110 Late Pace number when traveling 1 3/16 miles at Fair Grounds is a positive indicator of how Disarm will handle classic distances going forward.

While he would be a surprise to upset the Kentucky Derby (G1) field, I feel that the developing chestnut could make the frame on May 6 with a well-timed ride and a clear voyage. Joel Rosario has accepted the mount aboard the interesting longshot.

• JOHNSON: Disarm Pedigree Profile
• SCULLY: Disarm Kentucky Derby Context