Tappan Street (no 3)
CHC Inc, WinStar Farm and Cold Press Racing’s Grade I winner Tappan Street (Into Mischief) made his long-awaited return to the races a winning one, capturing a Gulfstream allowance Dec. 19. He is being pointed for the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Jan. 24.
Sent off as the heavy favorite against an overmatched field, the GI Florida Derby hero pressed the pace two wide early. Popped the question by pilot Irad Ortiz entering the lane, he swept to the lead and edged clear for a professional score.
“Good effort, workmanlike, but kind of what we expected based on what we saw of him in his first three runs,” said trainer Brad Cox. “It’s not as if he always gallops up to the top of the lane and wins under a hammerlock or anything. He’s a good horse, and I thought it was a good comeback race. It’s a two-other-than–that’s what he’s eligible for–and off that long layoff, I felt like it was the right move for him at this stage in his career. Happy with his performance.”
A debut winner at Gulfstream Dec. 28, Tappan Street finished second in the GIII Holy Bull S. in February and became the only horse to beat likely Horse of the Year Sovereignty when taking the Florida Derby Mar. 29. He suffered a condylar fracture during a breeze one week before the First Saturday in May and was sent to the sidelines for the next 7 ½ months.
“It was a perfect first start back,” said CHC’s Christie DeBernardis. “With such a long layoff, we just wanted a nice easy race to get him back in action and that is exactly what we got. Irad rode smartly and did not overuse the horse. The mile is also not his best distance. We expect him to take a step forward next time and look forward to a big 2026 season with him.”