For the 37th time, sophomores tee it up in the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday and they will be running for a $350,000 purse. The Grade 2 mile and a sixteenth fixture has enticed ten runners but only three stakes winners.
The winner of this race will earn 50 points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby. The second, third and fourth finishers will earn 20, 10 and 5 points respectively.
In 2007 Street Sense was not only the first horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Kentucky Derby but he also took the Tampa Bay Derby. Seven years ago Super Saver ran third in the Tampa Bay Derby and then captured glory in the Kentucky Derby. Last year Destin won this race but did not win another event, although he was second beaten a nose in the Belmont Stakes.
Todd Pletcher has won this race three of the last four years including with Destin. He will be represented by Tapwrit and Sonic Mule.
Tapwrit seems to be coming to the race fine. He was dull in his debut but has been solid since. His first stakes win was the Pulpit Stakes. He was far from disgraced last time chasing McCraken in the Sam Davis and he was inching toward the winner late.
Sonic Mule holds the win edge on the field as he has finished first in half of his eight races. He was over five lengths clear last time in the Grade 2 Swale.
Tale of Silence has to improve to make some noise. His lone win was sprinting in the mud and he only won by a neck that day. This runner’s best asset is that his sibling Tale of Ekati took multiple Grade 1s and earned over $1.1 million.
The Money Monster shocked his foes at 19-1 in the debut and he proved it was no mirage when he won his next race. That came in the $53,000 Pasco at Tampa in January. He overcame a bump at the break that day but must show he can carry his speed a route of ground.
Basha brings speed to the party but the stamina is questionable. He has lost ground in his route efforts and if he is your flavor in the Tampa Bay Derby, you will be looking at 12 or 15-1.
No Dozing lulled his foes to sleep in the first two starts but came back to earth in a thud when he had to face Classic Empire in the Breeders’ Futurity. He closed out 2016 running second in the Remsen but not sure that was a potent race. He was hung wide in his start at Tampa last month in the Sam Davis and maybe he just needed the effort.
Beasley has fired every single time. He was game winning his debut and posted solid seconds in his other efforts. Trained by Mark Hennig, who learned under Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, Beasley has trained very fast for this race. He posted a best of the morning :46 4/6 work a week about and that should have him on his toes. He also has a right to get this distance as sibling Mr Palmer won ten routes in his career and earned nearly $650,000.
State of Honor is versatile and that is a good trait. It’s always preferred to have options and this runner can lead and succeed and he can pass horses too.
Wild Shot is yet another that figures to throw his speed hat into the ring. Jockey Robby Albarado got a chance to figure him out last time. Coming to the Tampa Bay Derby, like Tapwrit, Wild Shot has a feel of the Tampa Bay Downs strip.
Zion Valley is flat out up against it. He is hung outside, has never won a race and he could not beat $16,000 maiden claimers in his last race.
From a pace standpoint, The Money Monster could flash zip on the stretch out. Basha should be fairly close, Beasley can be forwardly placed as will State of Honor. The feeling is that Sonic Mule will have rabbit duties of the Pletcher pair. A rabbit is put into a race to make sure there is a hot pace. The Mule fits the bill and this will allow Tapwrit to do what he has already shown he has been comfortable with on the track. Tapwrit has every right to improve after getting a feel of the Tampa Bay surface and his rider Jose Ortiz got a chance to know him last time.
If things unfold right in the Tampa Bay Derby, the pace will be contested, the speed horses will kill each other off and Tapwrit will reel them all in.
Sophomores Tee It Up in Tampa Bay Derby
