By Steve Sherack
Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's 'TDN Rising Star' Tip Top Thomas (c, 3, Volatile–Attempt to Name, by Consolidator), last seen finishing a very solid second going a one-turn mile in the GI Champagne S. at Aqueduct Oct. 5, is nearing a return to the races.
The Travers day debut maiden winner has posted seven workouts at Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher's Palm Beach Downs base in 2025, most recently drilling a bullet five furlongs in 1:01.73 (1/5) Mar. 13. He is targeting a six-furlong allowance race at Keeneland Apr. 5, per Bakke.
“Hopefully, he'll progress from his 2-year-old season and show some improvement,” Bakke said. “I think that's really important for a young horse to continue to move forward. He has been training very very well.”
After posting a game head victory against a deep group– including subsequent MGSW Sovereignty (Into Mischief)–going six furlongs in a maiden special weight on debut at the Spa Aug. 24, Tip Top Thomas completed the exacta behind 'Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) in the Champagne. The time off since was by design, Bakke said.
“He's shown he's pretty much a sprinter, or more of a one-turn horse,” Bakke said. “We were dabbling with the idea that if he really ran big in the Champagne, maybe we'd try the (Breeders' Cup) Juvenile. We thought it would be better to put him away for the winter and get him fresh for the spring time.”
One of three 'Rising Stars' from the first crop of Volatile, Tip Top Thomas brought $160,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to three-time stakes winner Gray Attempt (Graydar) as well as Dua (Arrogate), third in both the 2023 GIII Sorrento S. and GII Chandelier S.
Tip Top Thomas, bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay Inc., Donna Moore and Jim Richardson, is named after Isbister's grandson Thomas.
“They came up with Tip Top Thomas–I think it was a cute name,” Bakke said.
TIP TOP THOMAS (Volatile @Three_Chimneys) feeling his oats this morning 🦍 Doing great and looking forward to his return to the races in the next 30 days. @theTDN Rising Star on Travers Day 🛶
2nd in G1 Champagne for Bakke/Isbister pic.twitter.com/q7KGeLPlbj
— BSW/Crow Bloodstock (@BSWCrow) March 15, 2025
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