For the second time in three years, a Gainesway co-owned horse is headed to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with TAPIT’s Tapit Trice listed at the second lowest odds on the Morning Line.
Bred by the farm and offered by Gainesway at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Tapit Trice was a $1.3 million purchase by Whisper Hill Farm with Gainesway rejoining his ownership soon after. Since that time, Tapit Trice has won four of his first five starts with two graded stakes victories to his name – led by the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) last out.
Tapit Trice will join Hot Rod Charlie as horses to run in the Kentucky Derby while co-owned by Gainesway since the Beck family bought the farm in 1989. Running just two years ago, Hot Rod Charlie finished third in that edition of the race.
Tapit Trice’s Kentucky Derby victory wouldn’t only be the first for Gainesway but for TAPIT as well.
The stallion has sired two Kentucky Derby third place finisher and three other Kentucky Derby fourth place finishers but is still waiting on his first Derby winner. TAPIT has also had a Preakness Stakes (G1) third place finisher in addition to his four Belmont Stakes winners and three Belmont placers.
Though he’s just starting his time as a broodmare sire, TAPIT has had success in that realm as well.
His daughters have produced two Preakness Stakes third place finisher and a Belmont Stakes fourth. That Belmont Stakes fourth place finisher is by Uncle Mo, the same stallion who sired his daughter’s Kentucky Derby runner Kingsbarns. Kingsbarns is one of four entries this year produced by a TAPIT daughter alongside Hit Show, Disarm, and Rocket Can.
TAPIT is also the broodmare sire of Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner Pretty Mischievous and Oaks also eligible Hoosier Philly and leads all broodmare sires by both blacktype performers (29) and graded stakes performers (16) in 2023. In all, his daughters have produced 11 stakes winners this year – second best among all stallions.
Well known for its stallions, Gainesway’s stallion roster has also included multiple Triple Crown race winners since 1989. It currently stands TAPIT’s second crop son TAPWRIT – one of a record four Belmont Stakes (G1) winners for his sire. Among other stallions Gainesway has stood since the purchase are 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled, 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, and 2005 Preakness and Belmont winner Afleet Alex.
The land that makes up Gainesway’s historic property was also the home of 1915 Kentucky Derby winner Regret, 1931 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Twenty Grand, and 1942 Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Shutout.
This year’s Kentucky Derby is scheduled for a 6:57PM E.T. post time on Saturday as the final stakes race on the card.