Triple Tap, half-brother to American Pharoah, set for debut

The works are quick, the race scenario is favorable, and his reputation is as big as it gets.

Triple Tap, a 3-year-old half-brother to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will have his career debut in a maiden special weight race at seven furlongs in Saturday’s second race at Santa Anita.

“He’s ready to run,” trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday. “He’s got a great post. He’s got everything going for him. Luckily, we got a race for him.”

Triple Tap, owned and bred by Jane Lyon, who races as Summer Wind Equine, drew the outside post in a field of five. Leading rider Flavien Prat has the mount on the colt, who is by Tapit.

In recent weeks, Triple Tap has worked quickly, including six furlongs in 1:11.20 on Feb. 27 and five furlongs from the gate in 59 seconds on March 7. Those were the fastest works at the distances on those mornings, and were not isolated. Triple Tap had equally quick workouts at times in January and earlier in February.

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Santa Anita Clocker Report

Triple Tap will be a heavy favorite against four modest rivals in a race for 3-year-olds and older horses. Trainer Dan Blacker runs two 4-year-olds that have been as close as second in maiden races earlier in their careers – the gelding Johan Zoffani, who has had eight starts, and the filly Eyes Open, who showed speed in her first two starts in 2019 and 2020 and will have her fifth race on Saturday.

Triple Tap has worked steadily since late November, first at Los Alamitos and at Santa Anita since the beginning of this year.

“Jane Lyon breaks them late and starts them late and lets them develop,” Baffert said. “He’s filling out. I’ve taken my time with him.”

:: Get Brad Free’s Betting Strategies for Saturday’s card at Santa Anita

American Pharoah, the 2015 Horse of the Year, won 9 of 11 starts and earned $8,650,300 in a two-year career. American Pharoah is out of Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman. In recent years, Littleprincessemma has produced Chasing Yesterday, a four-time stakes winner bred and owned by Lyon and trained by Baffert, and the stakes-placed runners American Cleopatra and St. Patrick’s Day.

Chasing Yesterday, a full-sister to Triple Tap, won 5 of 7 starts and earned $488,650.