“Little Bit of a Challenge”: Owner, Who Paid $1,300,000 for One of the Kentucky Derby Favorites, Faces Anxious Times Ahead of the Big Day

Everyone wants to be at the upcoming Kentucky Derby; it is the race of the year after all. All thoroughbred riders would give anything to be at the race. This includes shelling out the big bucks for the best horses available out there. But everyone is not lucky enough to get to the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, even after spending a considerable amount.

Amanda Pope, an adorer and owner of horses and an avid horse rider as well, was experiencing anxiety over something of this sort. Pope shelled out a big amount of money for a gray colt by the name of Tapit Trice but wasn’t sure if she was still going to the Kentucky Derby or not. Turns out, her worry was unnecessary.

Owner’s anxiety eased as horse performs in an equestrian event

Amanda Pope is a proud owner right now; her horse just won at Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday. According to Leo Weekly News, it was a close win. However, it catapulted Tapit Trice to the number four position on the overall Derby leaderboard, thus ensuring that the horse would advance to the Kentucky Derby. While it was a special moment, Pope has another anxious thought barraging her head.

Pope said, “This horse can be a little bit of a challenge because he doesn’t like to get out early, but I’m sure he will find his way around the other horses once again.” She is worried about exposing her horse to the hustle and bustle of the busiest cavalry event of the year in America, the Kentucky Derby. Amanda Pope is as concerned about the mental pressure faced by racehorses, as she is with the fame and glory that comes with winning these races. For her, her horses are like children. Therefore, her maternal instinct stops her from pushing them too far.

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Till last spring, Pope was totally fine with not going to the Derby, as long as her horses were healthy and hearty. She said, “I don’t care if I don’t go to the Derby. I might even be happier if I don’t go to the Derby.” Amanda Pope also laid down the condition of her actually going, and said, “I said I’m only going if the horse pulls us there and it looks as if he has a real legitimate chance. I didn’t want to push him. I wanted him to be sound, and here we go.”

Why Pope is concerned for her horses

Pope’s horses have not always fared well when it comes to racing. In the last year’s Derby, Charge It came in 17th place. This was about 9 months after one of her horses, America’s Joy, had a fatal fall as the horse broke its neck while running. The only reason why Pope has stuck to racing at all is only that her love for the sport outweighs her anxiety for her horses. Tapit Trice came into her life when she paid $1.3 million for the colt at Keeneland’s September 2021 yearling sale.

She then entrusted the Colt to a trainer Todd Pletcher, who is at the top when it comes to career earnings. Pletcher is also responsible for training other Derby legends, such as Forte, who is currently the fan favorite right now. Forte might be number one, but Tapit Trice has grabbed the number two place in Pletcher’s prospects. Pletcher said, “We’re not going to make him into a quick horse. The distances, as they stretch out, we always felt like would make him better. I think [the 1¼-mile Kentucky Derby] is right in his wheelhouse.”

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Amanda Pope might be apprehensive and anxious about attending this year’s Derby, but Tapit Trice has forced her to face her fears, one could say. It will be exciting to see how this Derby prospect does this year. Who are you rooting for in this year’s Derby? Let us know in the comments.