I think TAP's lack of Derby success is based on two factors. First, many of his runners were really not "live contenders" but horses entered by owners with Derby Fever. Odd thing though is that his "Join in the Dance's" seem to outrun his "Dunkirks" every year.
Second, TAP has maintained his high percentage by picking his spots. There are enough big events that if horse A is not 100% in time for this Saturday, you wait and enter next Saturday. You simply cannot do that with the Derby and BC. (He's won some BC races but not at the clip that he wins other G1's.) In those races you must be ready on the day.
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RIP Monroe.
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