Andy Beyer just wrote a glowing report about Tapit's Kentucky Derby potential so I decided to look into the horse. He's won his two races by a combined 13 lengths and was covered up for much of the last. (The Laurel Futurity)

Beyer called Tapit's female family "Regal" so I elected to start with pedigree. The first thing that jumps out of the page at you is that he's bred 3 x 4 to Mr. Prospector. Apparently the "Best Blood of Pulpit's Dam" they elected to "return to him" was Mr. Prospector. (Noting it returns "Tail Male".)

But he is also line bred to Nijinsky 5 x 3 and Nijinky's blood does trace Tail Female.

Pulpit's dam of course was a horse named Preach. A horse I bet with conviction against as soon as the distances grew long. Pulpit himself was another. The first time I beat him was in the Florida Derby with Captain Bodgit. I haven't seen him throw a quality distance horse yet. Perhaps Tapit is the one. But if he is the one I'm not fully supportive that he is based upon his Mr. Prospector breeding.

Tapits dam (Tap Your Heels) is a 3/4 sister to Rubiano, who was sired by Fappiano. They share the same dam "Ruby Slippers". Rubiano was by far Ruby Slippers best foal and he was a sprinter/miler much in the mold of Pulpit. Tapit's dam "Tap your Heels is also linebred 4x3 to "In Reality" (Rubiano was 3 x 3) and you have in my opinion is more evidence of a sprint/miler oriented pedigree. Rubiano was a grey and he was precocious at two years old. The same is now true of Tapit. Though Tapit has even more Mr. Prospector blood. So though I like the Nijinsky inbreeding its near effect to me is one of speed and I'm not sure with the Prospector inbreeding more speed was what was needed.

Now as a caveat Tapit may freak. I can't say with certainty yet because I have not analyzed his Laurel Futurity win. I know nothing of the times, (other than 1:43:81...if i recall accurately) his conformation etc. I do know however that the competition in Maryland can be suspect. Just what kind of horse did he beat in the second place finisher "Polish Rifle"?

The Nijinsky blood did not help Pulpit, but if Tapit does freak I will attribute it to the 5 x 3 linebreeding to Nijinksy. Until more race data is available, I'm of the opinion that "IF" he stays together he's gonna be a nice sprint/miler. Rubiano was grey and he stayed together.

CtC