Tom's d'Etat set to make 2020 debut at Keeneland

Tom’s d’Etat, who finished off 2019 as one of hottest older dirt-route horses in North America, will start his 2020 campaign in the Ben Ali Stakes on April 11 at Keeneland.

His connections, Gayle Benson’s GMB Racing and trainer Al Stall, had considered a comeback race in the New Orleans Classic on March 21 but will head north from New Orleans before getting Tom’s d’Etat started.

Tom’s d’Etat put together his first full campaign of racing during 2019, making seven starts with wins in the restricted Alydar at Saratoga, in the Fayette at Keeneland in October, and in the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill on Nov. 29. Mr Freeze just missed second in the Clark and returned to finish second in the Pegasus World Cup before an impressive victory Saturday in the Gulfstream Park Mile.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Tom’s d’Etat is a 7-year-old horse but has made only 16 starts. His connections decided not to go hard over the winter and aim for races like the Pegasus, the Saudi Cup, and the Dubai World Cup, instead focusing on a domestic campaign they hope to cap in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.

“He’s had a nice winter, really,” said Stall.

Tom’s d’Etat had his first timed workout this year on Feb. 1 and posted his fifth work Saturday, going a half mile in 49.80 seconds.

“We worked him in company for the first time [this year], first time he’s seen another horse since the Clark. He went by that horse pretty easy,” Stall said.

Stall, meanwhile, said he and owner Spendthrift Farm intend to run Sharecropper in the Louisiana Derby on March 21. Sharecropper has started three times, failing to fire in his career debut, winning a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Churchill second out, and most recently finishing fourth, beaten four lengths, in a nine-furlong, first-level, 3-year-old dirt route allowance race on Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds. Sharecropper broke from the rail and lacked room for much of the homestretch, probably tiring slightly late making his first start in 3 1/2 months. Sharecropper was entered in a Dec. 21 allowance race but got sick a few days before his intended start and had to be scratched.

“He stayed in the bridle last time and traveled like a nice animal, and I just think that race will set him up for the next one. Why wouldn’t we give it a shot?” Stall said.

Sharecropper, by Pioneerof the Nile, worked a half-mile Feb. 27 in 48.40, while on Feb. 29, Stall gave Bobby’s Wicked One a half-mile drill in 49.80 preparing for the Count Fleet Stakes at Oaklawn.