(February, 25, 2004) - Tapit, one of the leading contenders for the VISA Triple Crown, worked in-between races this afternoon at Laurel Park, drilling seven-furlongs in a dress rehearsal with jockey Ramon Dominguez.

The pair worked in company with two other horses from trainer Michael Dickinson's stable, Royal Win and Silver Singer, who set slow fractions of :27 and :53 seconds for the opening two quarters. Dickinson instructed the riders of the other horses to leave a small gap at the head of the stretch and for Dominguez to barge his way through. Tapit did just that and completed the work in 1:29.70, finishing the final eighth in less than 12 seconds.

"He's only raced twice in his life and I didn't want to take him straight to a race without a little bit of practice," said Dickinson. "So today was a van ride, time in the receiving barn, important time in the paddock and then a nice workout. On the whole I think the breeze went pretty well. I was quite pleased as a whole with the work. I am really glad we came, it was a very necessary classroom exercise."

Tapit has not raced since an impressive 4¾-length score in the Laurel Futurity (Grade III) on November 15.

"I was very happy with him," remarked Dominguez, who was aboard for the Laurel Futurity victory and hopes to retain the mount. "The fractions were pretty slow for him and I had a handful of horse all the way around. Just like in his last race he did it very easy and galloped out great."

The son of Pulpit is expected to make his three-year old debut on March 13 at Gulfstream Park in the $1-million Florida Derby (Grade I). In January he was shifted from his Tapeta Farm base in the Baltimore suburbs to Florida where Dickinson had planned to make the colt's first start of the season in the Risen Star Stakes (Grade III) at Fair Grounds on February 15. However the horse missed training due to a sore shin and inclement weather in Florida and returned home earlier this month. "Back in January we were a week ahead of where we needed to be to peak on May 1, then we lost 19 days" added Dickinson, who has worked miracles with Grade I winners Da Hoss, Cetewayo and A Huevo. "I think he is fit enough for the Florida Derby, but not fit enough to win." Tapit ranked seventh in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager at odds of 17-1.

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