The path to the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) took an exhilarating turn on March 29 as Tappan Street held off a determined field to claim victory in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The bay son of Into Mischief, owned by WinStar Farm, CHC, and Cold Press Racing, showcased his talent and resilience under jockey Luis Saez, seizing control on the far turn and charging to a 1 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds.
Tappan Street’s triumph secured him 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, propelling him into third place with 110 total points. The Florida Derby, long a key stepping stone to the Run for the Roses, has produced 25 Kentucky Derby winners, including Mage in 2023.
Prerace favorite Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott and carrying Manny Franco in place of the injured Junior Alvarado, appeared poised to unleash his trademark stretch run. The Godolphin homebred, another son of Into Mischief, had previously captured the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) with a dazzling late rally. However, this time, Tappan Street would not be overtaken. After stalking the early pace, he surged past the leaders at the top of the stretch and held firm to the wire.
Madaket Road, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith, and Neoequos, under Edgard Zayas, set the early pace with fractions of :23.37, :47.22, and 1:11.61. Neoequos briefly edged ahead in the stretch, but Tappan Street’s powerful move proved decisive, stopping the clock at 1:49.27. Sovereignty finished second, followed by Neoequos, Madaket Road, and Disruptor.
Bred in Kentucky by Blue Heaven Farm, Tappan Street was making his first start since finishing second in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on February 1. Purchased as a yearling for $1 million at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, the colt was named in tribute to Siena Farm’s owner Anthony Manganaro, who passed away just two weeks after the purchase.
“We wanted to name him after Anthony, but since that name was taken, we went with Tappan Street, where he grew up,” said WinStar Farm’s Elliott Walden.
With the Florida Derby victory, Tappan Street now joins an elite group of contenders eyeing the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3. Sovereignty, who also holds 110 points, remains a formidable challenger. Additionally, Into Mischief’s influence continues to dominate the Derby trail, with Citizen Bull and Barnes also in the mix.
As the excitement builds, history suggests that Tappan Street’s Florida Derby victory could be a strong indicator of future success. Seven Florida Derby winners from 1995-2017 went on to claim the Kentucky Derby. Will Tappan Street be the next to etch his name in Triple Crown history? All eyes now turn to Churchill Downs for the ultimate test on the first Saturday in May.
