Tapit Trice takes Blue Grass, strengthening Todd Pletcher's hand for Kentucky Derby 2023

LEXINGTON, Ky. — With four weeks left until the Kentucky Derby, no trainer holds a stronger hand than Todd Pletcher.

Tapit Trice stamped himself a major player for the May 6 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, winning an exciting stretch duel over Verifying to capture Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

It was the third major prep victory for Pletcher in as many weeks. Kingsbarns won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby two weeks ago, and Forte established himself as the likely Kentucky Derby favorite by winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby last week.

Pletcher won his second Kentucky Derby in 2017 with Always Dreaming and — with a record 62 all-time starters in the Run for the Roses — knows all too well about the burden of expectations.

“Never take anything for granted,” he said after Saturday’s victory. “We feel great about the hand we have right now, but it’s four long weeks to get there.”

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With Luis Saez riding, Tapit Trice covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50 and paid $5.28 to win as the 8-5 favorite.

Verifying took a brief lead turning for home but ultimately finished a neck behind the winner.

“He ran the race I expected him to run, only I expected him to win,” trainer Brad Cox said. “But he ran very, very hard. I was very proud of him. Obviously, Todd’s horse is very, very good.”

Indeed, Tapit Trice has established himself as a major player on the Triple Crown trail.

A son of Tapit, Tapit Trice was purchased for $1.3 million at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Pletcher said he knew early on that Tapit Trice lacked early speed and likely would excel at longer distances, starting him off with a one-mile race in November at Aqueduct. Tapit Trice finished third.

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“He’s one that identified himself early on with real talent,” Pletcher said. “We knew he wasn’t a quick horse, wasn’t a sprinter. We started him off at a mile, and he closed well that day.”

He’s 4 for 4 since then, breaking his maiden on a muddy track in December at Aqueduct, winning an optional-claimer at Gulfstream in February and then capturing the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 11.

Co-owner Mandy Pope has been impressed by Tapit Trice’s progress.

“It seems like everything you throw at him, he takes it all in stride,” Pope said. “He never gets overly mental about anything. He just goes and does it with a lot of energy and thoughtfulness. He’s not going to do anything stupid.”

Tapit Trice, who had the No. 1 post position, raced mid-pack early before Saez decided to make a move on the backstretch.

Verifying was second early on as he stalked the front-running Clear the Air.

“I made a little move early because the pace was pretty slow (and) so I could get behind the horse we were supposed to beat,” Saez said. “I know we have to beat everybody, but (Verifying) was the horse to follow. … When he made his move, we were right on top of him.”

It became a match race down the stretch, as Verifying finished 5 ¾ lengths ahead of third-place Blazing Sevens. Sun Thunder was another half-length back in fourth.

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Tapit Trice is now 4-0-1 in five career starts and has earned $883,650 for Pope and fellow co-owner Antony Beck of Gainesway Stable.

Now, it’s a waiting game for Pletcher and his trio of Kentucky Derby contenders. If Forte is the favorite, Tapit Trice isn’t far behind.

“I think he’s improving all the time,” Pletcher said. “We’ve always felt more distance, he was going to be well-suited for that. We’re happy get him out to a mile and an eighth today, and I think a mile and a quarter is going to be even better for him.”

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby 2023: Tapit Trice wins Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland