Florida Derby runners converge from wide variety of prep races

The 13 horses entered to race in Saturday’s $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park have assembled from every corner of the state.

If you were expecting this 1 1/8-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race to be pretty much a rematch of last month’s Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream, you’re in for a surprise. While the top three finishers from the Fountain of Youth are back in action, the other 10 entrants for the Florida Derby are exiting nine different races.

With such a wide variety of runners set to converge, you can bet there will be a fierce battle to reach the winner’s circle and secure the 100 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualification points at stake.

Let’s review the path each entrant has taken to reach the Florida Derby.

As Seen On Tv

He exits a third-place effort in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth on Feb. 29 at Gulfstream, where he tracked the pace but failed to sustain his bid in the homestretch.

Shivaree

This consistent, talented sprinter was beaten a neck in the 6-furlong Hutcheson S. on Feb. 29 at Gulfstream and will stretch out 3 furlongs in distance for the Florida Derby. Previously, he finished a distant second behind future Gotham (G3) winner Mischevious Alex in the 7-furlong Swale (G3).

Disc Jockey

A former claimer conditioned by hot trainer Saffie Joseph, Disc Jockey exits a game, runner-up effort in the 7-furlong American Fabius S. on Feb. 17 at Gulfstream.

Soros

A stakes-winning son of Commissioner, Soros hasn’t run since he rallied to a 2 1/2-length triumph in the Nov. 30 Smooth Air S. going a mile at Gulfstream.

Gouverneur Morris

The runner-up in the 2019 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, this son of 2014 Florida Derby winner Constitution prepped with a gritty allowance victory running 1 mile and 40 yards Feb. 14 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Gouverneur Morris missed the track record by just 0.02 seconds and defeated future Gotham (G3) runner-up Untitled by 1 1/4 lengths.

Ajaaweed

Beaten a half-length in the 2019 Remsen (G2), the late-charging Ajaaweed enters the Florida Derby off a distant, third-place effort in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay.

Tiz the Law

The early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Tiz the Law will return from a nearly two-month layoff in the Florida Derby. He most recently cruised to a three-length score in Gulfstream’s 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G3) on Feb. 1.

My First Grammy

This 0-for-3 maiden finished second in a 1-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream two weeks ago, where he was beaten 6 1/4 lengths.

Independence Hall

The winner of the Nashua (G3) and Jerome S., Independence Hall prepped for the Florida Derby with a big effort in the Sam F. Davis, in which he tracked a fast pace and settled for second place, behind a stretch-running rival.

Candy Tycoon

This improving son of Twirling Candy overcame a slow start and a wide run around the far turn to finish second in the Fountain of Youth. He edged As Seen On Tv by a neck for the runner-up spot.

Sassy But Smart

This accomplished turf runner rallied to finish a fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Palm Beach (G3) over the Gulfstream grass course Feb. 29.

Ete Indien

After he finished second, behind Tiz the Law, in the Holy Bull, Ete Indien had little difficulty beating 10 rivals in the Fountain of Youth, when he all the way to score by 8 1/2 lengths.

Rogue Element

The field’s lone also-eligible outran expectations in a 1-mile maiden special weight Feb. 29 at Gulfstream, where he finished second by a neck at odds of 116-1.