Only one Kentucky Derby in the 21st century has been run without a horse trained by Todd Pletcher. This year won’t be the second.
The two-time Kentucky Derby-Winning conditioner made his way back to the Run For The Roses this past Saturday when Florida-bred KNOWN AGENDA finished strong to Win the Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
By doing so he collects 100 qualifying points for this year’s Kentucky Derby.
KNOWN AGENDA and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. saved ground throughout while racing in mid-pack in an 11-horse field. Angled out to draw into striking position on the second turn he then outran SOUP AND SANDWICH in the stretch to Win by 2 3/4-lengths.
The Winning time for 1 1/8-miles on a fast track was 1:49.45.
This is a record sixth Florida Derby Win for Pletcher. He will now take aim at a third Kentucky Derby Win on May 1st at Churchill Downs with KNOWN AGENDA.
He has previously Won the Derby with ALWAYS DREAMING in 2017 and SUPER SAVER in 2010.
The only Kentucky Derby this century without a Pletcher starter came in 2003.
The Official order of finish for the Florida Derby was: #5 KNOWN AGENDA, #8 SOUP AND SANDWICH, #7 GREATEST HONOUR, and #1 NOVA RAGS.
The Trifecta (picked correctly by the Daily Racing Blog) paid $294.40 for a $2 dollar wager.
This weekend there is a coast to coast plethora of Derby prep races: The Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Park.
All three races offer 100-40-20-10 Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.
