Pletcher Chooses To Win Sixth Tampa Bay Derby

Promising 3-year-olds run Tapit Trice And shesterkin Coach Todd Pletcher goals to develop his file for wins within the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 11.

Corridor of Fame gained Tampa Bay DownsFinest Kentucky Derby (G1) prep 5 occasions, most just lately in 2017 contact textual content , the eventual winner of that yr’s Belmont Stakes (G1). Different Tampa Bay Derby winners future (2016), Carpe Diem (2015), Verrazano (2013) and Lime Home (2004).

None of Pletcher’s Tampa Bay Derby winners have scored within the Kentucky Derby, however Pletcher’s first of two Derby winners tremendous protecting He completed third within the 2010 Tampa Bay Derby and completed second within the Arkansas Derby (G1). Oaklawn Park. Coach’s different Derby winner in 2017, at all times dream He drove the South Florida street to Louisville and gained an optionally available allowance at Gulfstream Park and the Florida Derby (G1) earlier than Run for the Roses.

Tapit Trice of Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Steady confirmed off his expertise at Gulfstream final month. This tapit colt, non-bet winner Dunkirk mare danzatrice He acquired an optionally available allowance by claiming a race on a spin mile on Feb. 4 by eight lengths from Bob LaPenta’s Shesterkin. The win so impressed the gamblers that Tapit Trice was third selection 15-1 amongst particular person bets within the fourth pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which ended on February 12.

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He gained his first race on 17 December, earlier than his victory on 4 February. Aqueduct Racetrack by a neck Slip Mahoney Remaining runner-up on the March 4 Gotham Stakes (G3). Tapit Trice’s solely different begin was a third-place end of their debut match in opposition to virgins at Aqueduct on November 6.

Possible favorite, Luis Saez makes his first begin round two activates Saturday within the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby with Luis Saez forward.

As of March 7, Saez has gained eight ranked races in 2023 in North America, most of them jockeys. Pletcher additionally boasts eight ranked betting wins with Corridor of Famer Bob Baffert, which put him in a draw amongst trainers for the lead this yr.

Shesterkin’s son Violence The objective scorer in his opening debut at Gulfstream on December 31 was chosen in a match in opposition to stablemate Tapit Trice on February 4, and he fell seven minutes after his good debut. He got here ahead early, going head-to-head with a Tapit Trice who ditched the flip earlier than overpowering within the lane and settling for second place.

Edgard Zayas rides the racing Shesterkin with the flasher connected.

The Tampa Bay Derby gives qualifying factors on a 50-20-15-10-5 scale to the highest 5 finishers within the Might 6 Kentucky Derby. Traditionally, a horse that has gained the Tampa Bay Derby has had sufficient factors to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Tampa Bay Derby attendees often chase extra Derby factors on the ultimate Triple Crown settings in April.

The Tampa Bay Derby is considered one of 5 bets races on the Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, 4 of that are tiered and price a complete of $1 million.

Saturday’s predominant occasion doesn’t embrace the winner of final month’s Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and Pletcher chooses to win to sue Towards the March 25 Louisiana Derby (G2) Honest Grounds Racetrack and Slots.

Second to fifth place finishers from Sam F. Davis are entered: Groveland , Basic Automotive Wash , Classical Heritage And Zydeceaux .

Pinnacle Racing Workforce and Madaket Stables are reaching out to race longer distances in 12 horse races. Freedom Path 5 to 2 Malibu Moon Colt, who final filed a declare with an optionally available declare at six furlongs on January 21 at Tampa Bay Downs.

“The Tampa Bay Derby is a really prestigious race and we will probably be honored and privileged to be part of it,” stated coach Gregg Sacco. “I believe he’ll be aggressive if he places on the identical robust kick he has whereas working. He has the house benefit and can be capable of stroll from his personal steady.”

“It appears like there will probably be quite a lot of proficient horses working and quite a lot of unknowns. However you must take a success within the batter field to make the connection,” added Sacco. “If it meets our expectations, it opens up all kinds of races for us, and if it does not, we all know we have now a proficient sprinter.”