Meet the Contenders: 2024 Florida Derby
Hades wins at Gulfstream (Photo by Coglianese Photogrraphy / Credit to Ryan Thompson)
March 26th, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Frankie's Empire (Photo by Coady Photography)
#1 Frankie’s Empire ***
Pro: Four-time winner has overachieved since joining the Michael Yates barn.
Con: Would need to take a more serious step forward to contend for the win.
Hades wins at Gulfstream (Photo by Coglianese Photogrraphy / Credit to Ryan Thompson)
#2 Hades ****
Pro: Undefeated gelding turn in surprise Holy Bull (G3) win, repelling champion Fierceness.
Con: Got away with a crawling pace in that race; likely sees more pressure this time.
Hades upsets in the Holy Bull (GIII): 1/5 favorite Fierceness finishes third.#KYDerby150 🌹 https://t.co/WxIT0JA8dp
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 4, 2024
Bail Us Out wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#3 Bail Us Out **
Pro: From the same connections of Fierceness and enters off maiden win over Tapeta.
Con: Based on dirt form, late developer would fit better in an N1X allowance.
Grand Mo the First (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
#4 Grand Mo the First ***
Pro: Never worse than third and narrowly missed in Tampa Bay Derby (G2) photo.
Con: Tampa prep came back rather slow in comparison to other Derby trials.
Real Macho wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#5 Real Macho **
Pro: Ran below expectations in Fountain of Youth (G2); prior allowance win was better.
Con: Seemingly better around one turn more than two.
Le Dom Bro (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#6 Le Dom Bro ***
Pro: Second to Dornoch in Fountain of Youth, albeit renewal that lacked depth.
Con: Hasn’t won since August and not at all beyond six furlongs.
#3 Le Dom Bro digs deep on the inside to win R6 at Saratoga and give @Tyler_Gaff a riding triple today! 🤩
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 10, 2023
Antonio Sano trains the 2-year-old colt.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/4MEqufidqR
Catalytic wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#7 Catalytic **
Pro: Much in need of comeback attempt at Tampa; extra distance should help.
Con: Must improve in hurry to land a piece of the purse.
Seminole Chief (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#8 Seminole Chief **
Pro: Form has been erratic, but three-time winner owns a stakes victory on this track.
Con: Enters with class questions and perhaps a pace factor at best.
Conquest Warrior wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#9 Conquest Warrior ****
Pro: Looks the most serious threat to top two following track-and-distance allowance win.
Con: That allowance came up light after scratches; tested for class here.
Fierceness at Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Saratoga (Photo by Horsephotos)
#10 Fierceness *****
Pro: Juvenile champion capable of much more than he showed in Holy Bull.
Con: Tends to need things to go his own way; might or might not get that here.
Fierceness returns from his @BreedersCup Juvenile victory on Saturday at Gulfstream in the Holy Bull.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 1, 2024
Click the link below to add him and all of @NTamm1215's 5️⃣ horses to follow from the Florida Road to @KentuckyDerby 150!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/rZFPPrKoSA pic.twitter.com/tr8Ps0Lz2e
Iris's Dream wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#11 Iris’s Dream *
Pro: Much improved this year, albeit against far weaker competition.
Con: Landing here after maiden optional claiming win on grass appears an overreach.
