TWO strong Kentucky Derby contenders emerged last weekend, Tappan Street (Into Mischief) and Sandman (Tapit), winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby and Grade 1 Arkansas Derby respectively. Both Kentucky-bred colts are out of mares by Distorted Humor (Forty Niner).

A multiple stakes winner of eight races from 23 starts, and the seven-furlong stakes record holder at Keeneland, Distorted Humor shuttled twice to Australia, but spent the rest of his career in the USA, and was instrumental in assisting WinStar to become a major player in the bloodstock world. He enjoyed plenty of success, becoming the leading sire in 2011, and a few years later being crowned leading broodmare sire. His championship year as a stallion was due in the main to the exploits of his Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer.