By Steve Sherack
Tappan Street (Into Mischief) will make his highly anticipated return in an allowance optional claimer going a mile at Gulfstream Park Friday. He is being aimed at the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Jan. 24.
Last seen defeating leading Horse of the Year candidate and GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 29, the $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was forced to miss the Derby after suffering a condylar fracture in his right front leg.
Dr. Larry Bramlage performed surgery on the WinStar Farm, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing colorbearer a day after his five-furlong breeze for Brad Cox at Churchill Downs Apr. 26.
“Ever since we had the mishap a week before the Derby, everything's gone according to plan,” WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden said.
“He rehabbed well, healed well and got back in training on the right timeframe. It doesn't always happen that way. He trained at the farm July, August and September. Went to Brad first week of October at Keeneland, worked a few times there, then was the first horse at Payson Park when Brad opened his string. It's gone well.”
🌹 #9 TAPPAN STREET ($6.80) secures a spot in the Kentucky Derby with an impressive victory in the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (G1) at @GulfstreamPark! The colt by @SpendthriftFarm's Into Mischief was piloted by @luissaezpty for @bradcoxracing. @WinStarFarm @Chinahorseclub pic.twitter.com/b2YQqVrsd0
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025
Tappan Street defeated the subsequent Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers Stakes winner Sovereignty by 1 1/4 lengths while making his third career start in the Florida Derby. He won his debut going seven furlongs Dec. 28, then was second after leading in the stretch in the GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 1, his first start around two turns. All three of Tappan Street's career starts have come at Gulfstream Park.
Tappan Street has breezed seven times at Payson Park since early November, most recently working five furlongs in 1:02.20 (3/5) Saturday. He'll face six rivals in his comebacker at Gulfstream. Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the mount.
“We've been looking forward to this ever since he got hurt,” Walden said. “We felt like we had a big chance in the Kentucky Derby. Obviously, the horse that he beat won the Kentucky Derby in Sovereignty. That makes you think about what could've been, but we don't ever look back, we look forward. I think it was more a feather in his cap. We were very pleased to see the form hold up as well as it did all year long.”
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