Tappan Street Ships to Churchill Saturday, Neoequos One Step Closer to Derby

[Wandering Eyes]

Having produced a five-furlong breeze which pleased trainer Brad Cox and completed his winter season in Indiantown, FL Friday morning, GI Florida Derby hero Tappan Street (Into Mischief) is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs Saturday morning.

Going the five panels in company in 1:01.40 at Payson Park Training Center, it marked the penultimate breeze on the sophomore's schedule in advance of his expected start in the GI Kentucky Derby May 3. Tappan Street worked with stablemate 'TDN Rising Star' Rapture (Uncle Mo) for the second straight week. The son of Into Mischief sits sixth on the leaderboard with 100 points and is tied with Florida Derby runner-up MGSW & GISP Sovereignty (Into Mischief).

“Overall, very pleased. [He] continued on around the turn very nicely and galloped out strong,” Cox said. “He looked great coming off the track. He's been very consistent, and it seems like with his works: the further, the better. He's in a good spot right now.”

Neoequos, Currently On Derby Bubble, Will Ship to Churchill As Defections Continue

Florida-bred GISP Neoequos (Neolithic) is on the outside-looking-in on the Kentucky Derby points board–21st in the standings with 40 points–and would need another defection to be included in the 20-strong field, but trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. continues to move forward with completing the colt's Derby preps in a timely manner.

Having gone from evicting his rider from the saddle on debut last July to being Grade I-placed via a third-place finish in the Florida Derby in late March, the colt worked five furlongs Friday morning in 1:00.51 in company with an older workmate, Mr. Narcissistic (Signature Red). With a start in the Derby still very much in the books, Neoequos is expected to breeze one more time at Gulfstream Park before shipping to Kentucky.

The likelihood of him securing a coveted spot in the gate became even more likely Friday afternoon when the Daily Racing Form's David Grening reported that trainer Bob Baffert would be sending MGSP Madaket Road (Quality Road)–who had been in that top 20 with 46 points–to the GII Pat Day Mile over the Kentucky Derby.

“Right now, we're going to the Derby,” Joseph said. “The distance is still a question mark, but he keeps running well enough and fast enough on the figures to keep going and try.”

“I'm probably leaning toward working him one more time and then head to Churchill. He might work next Thursday. Either Thursday or Friday next week. Probably next Thursday and then ship in [Friday].”

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