Iowa-bred sensation Tyler's Tribe is being pointed to the inaugural $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile April 1 at Oaklawn, the gelding's co-owner/trainer, Tim Martin, said Thursday morning.
Tyler's Tribe is unraced since a third-place finish in the $150,000 Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds at 5 ½ furlongs Dec. 9 at Oaklawn. The multiple stakes winner received approximately a month off after he bled through Lasix during the race, Martin said.
Tyler's Tribe moved closer to his 3-year-old debut by recording a five-furlong bullet workout (:59.40) over a fast track Thursday morning under regular rider Kylee Jordan. It was the gelding's fourth work since his break.
“He's been great all along,” Martin said. “No problem. Last time, clear, clean, no blood, no mucus. I'm working him on Lasix, obviously, but he's been good so far.”
Tyler's Tribe, who breezed alone immediately after the surface renovation break, recorded splits of :12 for his opening eighth of a mile, 23.80 for a quarter-mile and :35.80 for three furlongs before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.20 and 7 furlongs in 1:26.80.
Following the work, Martin said the Hot Springs is the target for Tyler's Tribe, who won his first five career starts, all dirt sprints at Prairie Meadows in Iowa, by a combined 59 ¾ front-running lengths before being eased after bleeding in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Keeneland.
Although the use of race-day Lasix is prohibited in the Breeders' Cup, Tyler's Tribe will be able compete on the anti-bleeder medication in the Hot Springs. Tyler's Tribe has never raced around two turns.
“Kind of what I'm pointing to,” Martin said of the Hot Springs. “You never know, but you can change your mind. I think it will be easier on him. I've always thought he can go long. Matter of fact, the first time I ran him at Prairie Meadows, I told Kylee that I thought that 4 ½ furlongs is short and the horse is going to be a route horse. He can run short, too, but everything indicates he can go a distance.”
From the first crop of millionaire Grade 1 winner Sharp Azteca, Tyler's Tribe has a 5-0-1 record from seven lifetime starts and earnings of $320,169. A $34,000 yearling purchase, Tyler's Tribe is a four-time stakes winner for Martin and co-owner Thomas D. Lepic.
The Hot Springs closed March 17 with 44 nominations. Post positions will be drawn Monday.
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