War Pass Loses Tampa Bay Derby, Looks Ahead For Redemption

War Pass is hoping for redemption at the Gr. 1 Wood Memorial. (AP Images)

Going into Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby, overwhelming favorite WarPass had an obvious battle plan. With the his ultimate goal looming on the horizon and just one prep race left, the one-dimensional runner was obligated to use the same tactics he had built his reputation on: going to the front and improving his position. However, sooner or later horses that require the lead are forced out of their comfort zone and the Tampa Bay Derby was that occasion.

Unfocused at the start, War Pass was off a tad slow and was immediately put under pressure from rivals’ intents on making him work hard for the front. The squeeze was on. Observers would soon find out if War Pass would relax without the lead and if he could attack late. Not on this day. Appearing uncomfortable behind horses, he made a middle move but failed to reach serious contention and was not pressured late by his rider in a last-place finish. The 2007 Juvenile Champion became an also-ran for the first time.

On the post-race comment that War Pass had a fever just a few days before the race, owner Bob LaPenta said, “He’s been checked over completely and we haven’t found a thing wrong with him. The whole day was a calamity of errors. But there is one thing I can guarantee you – going into the race, there was nothing wrong with that horse.” War Pass’s connections aren’t saying “whoa” in the tight spot they’ve found themselves in.

The colt remains on his original game plan and will look for redemption in the Gr. 1 Wood Memorial. Give him another chance.

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