Tappan Street gives Brad Cox first Florida Derby win, clinches spot in 2025 Kentucky Derby

• Tappan Street, a son of Into Mischief, clinched 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby

Louisville trainer Brad Cox picked up his first Florida Derby victory and found another contender for the Kentucky Derby.

Tappan Street made a five-wide move off the final turn and raced to a 1 ½-length victory in Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Luis Saez, Tappan Street covered the 1 ⅛ miles in 1:49.27 and paid $6.80 to win on a $2 wager.

“Hopefully this is a big step forward for this colt,” Cox said. “I’m proud of the performance. … He’s got a great mind, knows how to turn it on and off. I think the best is yet to come. Obviously, the Kentucky Derby is the main goal.”

Tappan Street earned 100 qualifying points for the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, virtually assuring himself in a field limited to 20 runners.

Sovereignty, the 8-5 favorite, finished second and was followed by Neoequos and Madaket Road.

Madaket Road, the Bob Baffert trainee ridden by Mike Smith, set fractions of 23.37 seconds for the quarter-mile, 47.22 seconds for the half-mile and 1:11.61 for three-quarters before fading.

A son of Into Mischief, Tappan Street improved to 2-1-0 in three career starts. He entered off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 1.

A $1 million purchase at the 2023 New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Tappan Street is co-owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and Cold Press Racing.

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Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.