Kentucky Derby Contender Profile: Tappan Street

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Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

Tappan Street: Lightly Raced Contender with Derby-Winning Pedigree

Horse racing betting fans are turning their attention to Tappan Street, a promising colt who surged to victory in the 2025 Florida Derby. With just three career starts, this Brad Cox trainee has quickly risen in the Kentucky Derby odds and now enters the Run for the Roses as a serious challenger. 

His late-running style and deep pedigree make him one of the more intriguing names for those considering Kentucky Derby betting this season.

Pedigree Power and Racing Connections

Bred for greatness, Tappan Street is a son of Into Mischief, the leading North American sire and producer of recent Kentucky Derby winners Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021, via disqualification). 

Into Mischief has firmly established himself as a go-to stallion for stamina and class. On the dam side, Tappan Street is out of Virginia Key, a daughter of Distorted Humor, best known as the sire of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide. With a blend of proven dirt ability and classic distance influences, Tappan Street carries a pedigree built for the 1 ¼-mile challenge at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Luis Saez returns for his 12th Kentucky Derby mount. Though he crossed the wire first aboard Maximum Security in 2019, a controversial disqualification denied him the win. His experience with talented Kentucky Derby runners like Essential Quality and Tapit Trice could be a key advantage this time around. Trainer Brad Cox, a Derby winner with Mandaloun, sends out two contenders this year: Tappan Street and Final Gambit.

Fast Rise to Prominence

Tappan Street didn’t debut until late December but made an immediate impact, winning a seven-furlong maiden race at Gulfstream with a strong closing kick. He returned in February for the Holy Bull Stakes, finishing second to Burnham Square while still showing potential in just his second start.

His breakthrough came in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, where he unleashed a decisive mid-race move and held off top competition, including Sovereignty and Madaket Road. That victory earned him a career-best 96 Equibase Speed Figure and vaulted him into the Derby conversation. With two wins and one runner-up finish from three starts, his talent is evident despite a limited resume.

Kentucky Derby Betting Outlook

Tappan Street currently sits sixth on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 110 points. Futures markets have taken notice, placing him as the fourth overall betting choice at odds of +800. Though lightly raced, his Florida Derby win proved he can handle both distance and pressure. The Kentucky Derby will be his first start outside of Florida, but his recent workouts suggest he’s peaking at the right time.

If Tappan Street continues to improve off his Florida Derby effort, he has the potential to add another chapter to Into Mischief’s already impressive legacy. For full Kentucky Derby coverage, expert picks, and live horse racing betting, visit our racebook today.