Tyler’s Tribe in a pre-Breeders’ Cup work at Keeneland Oct. 22. (Coady Photography)
Oaklawn Barn Notes by Robert Yates
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.—Iowa-bred sensation Tyler’s Tribe, who finished third as the heavy favorite in the $150,000 Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds Friday at Oaklawn, will receive a 30-day break after bleeding during the 5 ½-furlong race, Tim Martin, the gelding’s co-owner/trainer, said Saturday morning.
Tyler’s Tribe, per usual, shot to the lead under regular rider Kylee Jordan and held a clear advantage turning for home before weakening late to finish 3 ½ lengths behind unbeaten Count de Monet.
“Bled a little bit yesterday,” Martin said. “He’s out for a little while, for sure.”
Tyler’s Tribe was racing for the first time since being eased and vanned off after bleeding in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Keeneland. Tyler’s Tribe had raced on Lasix in his first five career starts – all blowout victories at Prairie Meadows – but the anti-bleeder medication is prohibited in the Breeders’ Cup.
Tyler’s Tribe received Lasix for the Advent, which marked his return to dirt.
“It wasn’t nothing like the Breeders’ Cup,” Martin said. “He was looking pretty good and whenever he stopped, I was like, ‘Uh oh,’ something happened.’ When she pulled him up, he had blood in his nose.”
Tyler’s Tribe will spend approximately a month at Martin’s nearby Royal Training Center, the trainer said, before the gelding resumes training for a possible comeback spot during the final weeks of the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meet that ends May 6.
“I’m going to let him be a horse,” Martin said. “I’ll probably give him a month, just let him be horse, and then just see where he’s at and see what’s going on. I’ve got some therapy that’s pretty good for that (bleeding), I think, that we’ll work on.”
One race Martin could target is the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters April 29 at Oaklawn.
“There’s a race or two at the end of the meet that I’ll look at, if he’s good,” Martin said. “We’ll give him time, a lot more time. There’s some stuff coming up late, three or four months. Just give him time and let him be ready.”
Martin had said an appearance in the Advent was contingent on a clean endoscopic examination following a Dec. 10 work, which was the gelding’s second at Oaklawn. Martin said Tyler’s Tribe scoped clean following each breeze.
“No sign, no nothing,” Martin said, referring to blood. “I wanted to take advantage of the Lasix, but that didn’t work.”
From the first crop of millionaire Grade 1 winner Sharp Azteca, the physically imposing Tyler’s Tribe crushed his competition at Prairie Meadows. He captured his first five starts, including four stakes, by a combined 59 ¾ front-running lengths. Tyler’s Tribe toppled open company in two stakes races, including a 15 ½-length romp in the $100,000 Prairie Meadows Freshman Aug. 27.
Tyler’s Tribe, a $34,000 yearling purchase, has won 5 of 7 starts and earned $320,169 for Martin and his Iowa City, Iowa, co-owner, Thomas D. Lepic.
Here are four of Tyler’s Tribe five wins in a row and bonus video of his story and his connections.
Tyler’s Tribe Wins His First Race By 16 3/4 lengths
Tyler’s Tribe Wins The 2022 Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes By 8 1/2
Tyler’s Tribe Wins The 2022 Iowa Stallion Futurity By 12 1/2 Lengths
Tyler’s Tribe Wins The 2022 Iowa Cradle Stakes By 6 1/2 Lengths
Story of Tyler’s Tribe: Co-owner Tom Lepic of Solon, Iowa
Tyler’s Tribe’s tribe: Co-breeder Derek Merkler, Iowa’s Johnston HS and West Point grad
Tyler’s Tribe: 20-year-old jockey Kylee Jordan
