Saturday’s $750,000 dollar, Grade 1 Florida Derby is the marquee race during the winter-spring meet at Gulfstream Park, as well as a crucial prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
The 1 1/8-mile race offers a total of 170 qualifying points for the 147th Run For The Roses on May 1st at Churchill Downs. The point distribution is a 100-40-20-10 scale, awarded to the the top four finishers.
Since its debut in 1952, fifteen Florida Derby Winners have gone on to Win the Kentucky Derby, three within the last decade: ORB in 2013, NYQUIST– 2016, and the most recent being 2017 when ALWAYS DREAMING was Victorious in both the Florida and Kentucky Derby.
In total, 24 starters from the Florida Derby have gone on to Win the big race on the first Saturday in May.
This year’s 69th running is highlighted by GREATEST HONOUR, who obviously loves this track.
The Shug McGaughey trained colt Won the Holy Bull, and the Fountain Of Youth Stakes, both held at Gulfstream Park earlier this year.
A field of eleven has been entered, in what will be the final race on a card of fourteen.
The Florida Derby will be televised on NBCSN as part of NBC Sports Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Their broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
On Friday the Daily Racing Blog will take a look at the field of this years edition of the Florida Derby. So stop back and see who we like.
