Always Dreaming Dazzles in G1 Xpressbet.com Florida Derby Victory

By David Joseph —-

Credited with Fastest Clocking since Alydar’s 1978 Winning Time
Favored Gunnevera Closes Late to Finish Third

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Always Dreaming coasted to a five-length victory in Saturday’s $1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, registering the fastest clocking since Alydar’s winning time in 1978.

Owned by Brooklyn Boyz Stable, MeB Racing Stable, Teresa Viola Racing Stables and St. Elias Stables, Always Dreaming was timed for the 1 1/8m miles in 1:47.47, the fastest clocking since Alydar won the 1978 Florida Derby in 1:47.

In addition to earning the $600,000 winner’s share of the purse, the 3-year-old son of Bodemeister earned 100 qualifying points to earn a berth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 6. The Pletcher-trained Tapwrit, Malagacy and Patch have already earned enough points to participate in the first leg of the Triple Crown, and the 14-time Gulfstream Championship meet titlist has a few other prominent colts scheduled to run in upcoming preps for the Run for the Roses.

“The horse has been training exceptionally well and we were confident he was going to run as well as he’s capable of, and thank fully he did. I have to be honest with you, he was training so well that I would have been disappointed had he not run well, but that was a very impressive performance,” Pletcher said. Certainly, that’s why we were here today to hopefully get the points to go on.”

Always Dreaming gave both Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez their respective fourth victories in Gulfstream Park’s signature race that highlighted Saturday’s 14-race program that included nine stakes worth $2.45 million in purses. The historic 1 1/8-mile event has produced the winners of 58 Triple Crown races, including 23 Kentucky Derby champions. Nyquist emerged undefeated from last year’s Florida Derby with a 1 ¼-length victory and went on to win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs five weeks later.

Pletcher saddled Scat Daddy (2007) for his first Florida Derby success that was followed by back-to-back triumphs by Constitution (2014) and Materiality (2015). Pletcher had been in a three-way tie for most Florida Derby wins by a trainer with Nick Zito and John Veitch. Velazquez had been in a six-way tie with Edgar Prado, Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith, Bill Shoemaker and Bill Hartack for most Florida Derby wins by a jockey. His first three Florida Derby wins were aboard Quality Road (2009), Orb (2013) and Materiality.

Always Dreaming broke alertly to stalking the pacesetter Three Rules past fractions of 23.28 (seconds), 47.08, and 1:10.75 for the first six furlongs. Gunnevera, the even-money favorite in a field of 10, settled well off the pace after breaking from the No. 10 post position. Always Dreaming, the 5-2 second betting choice, moved alongside a tiring Three Rules at the top of the stretch and drew off to score convincingly. State of Honor, who saved ground behind Three Rules, finished second under Julien Leparoux, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Gunnevera, who made up ground under Javier Castellano through the stretch without posing a win threat.

“Castellano told me the post position was a little problem, but the horse wasn’t comfortable in the beginning. He finished strong but the horses in the front weren’t stopping,” said trainer Antonio Sano, who colt had won the $400,000 Fountain of Youth March 4 to amass enough qualifying points to earn a place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. “I’m happy. This is an important race to win, but it was a good race for the next one.”

Castellano said Gunnevera didn’t bring his A Game.

“I was riding, riding all the way in the race. He never grabbed the bit, he never pulled like he always used to. Maybe he was affected by the track – the track was speed today,” Castellano said. ‘Unfortunately he didn’t have it today.”

Always Dreaming who raced twice last year before breaking through in his third career start at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 25, capturing a maiden special weight race by more than 11 lengths. He followed up that win with a four-length victory in a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream on the undercard of the Fountain of Youth.

“I think the whole program really helped today. We brought him along gradually, opted for the allowance race on Fountain of Youth day and I think all that paid off,” Pletcher said.

“With two mile and an eighth wins and the way he galloped out today, I’m confident he’ll get the [1 ¼-mile] trip,” he added. “Like always, you want them to stay healthy and you have to have some good luck for the next five weeks.”
State of Honor, the 4-1 third choice who finished second behind Tapwrit in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 11, is expected to join Always Dreaming and Gunnevera at Churchill Downs for the Derby.

“I had a really good trip. We took the blinkers off. He was a little keen the last time at Tampa so we took the blinkers off and tried to rate him a little bit. He was a little keen on the first turn but he switched off on the backside and he was just second-best,” Leparoux said. “We got through on the fence and he gave me all he’s got. He was just second-best.”

Impressive Edge raced evenly to finish fourth, followed by Three Rules, Talk Logistics, Coleman Rocky, Unbridled Holiday, Charlie the Greek and Quintentos.

$1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby Quotes

Trainer Todd Pletcher (Always Dreaming, 1st): “I think the whole program really helped today. We brought him along gradually, opted for the allowance race on Fountain of Youth day and I think all that paid off. The horse has been training exceptionally well and we were confident he was going to run as well as he’s capable of, and thank fully he did. I have to be honest with you, he was training so well that I would have been disappointed had he not run well, but that was a very impressive performance. Certainly, that’s why we were here today to hopefully get the points to go on. With two mile and an eighth wins and the way he galloped out today, I’m confident he’ll get the trip. Like always, you want them to stay healthy and you have to have some good luck for the next five weeks.”

Anthony Bonomo (Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Co-owner of Always Dreaming, 1st): “Well, I don’t know what to say because it’s so exciting. All day you’re nervous leading up to the race and it’s your dream to run a race like this and to win it is unbelievable. I don’t know what to feel like anymore except to know I’m elated. When we saw him making the turn we knew he had a lot of horse and we knew that’s how he likes to run. We thought he had enough to come home and win, and there’s nothing like watching your horse pass the finish line. It’s exciting. It’s really a great race. I’ll think about [the Kentucky Derby] in about nine hours. Right now, this was a great win and we’re just thrilled. He’s a good horse.”

Trainer Antonio Sano (Gunnevera, 3rd): “(Javier) Castellano told me the post position was a little problem, but the horse wasn’t comfortable in the beginning. He finished strong but the horses in the front weren’t stopping.”

“I’m happy. This is an important race to win, but it was a good race for the next one.”

Jockey Javier Castellano (Gunnevera 3rd)

“I had a good trip. I saved all the ground in the first turn and the way he ended up, I didn’t have it today. I was riding, riding all the way in the race. He never grabbed the bit, he never pulled like he always used to. Maybe he was affected by the track – the track was speed today.”

(Right to the rail out of the gate)

“I saved all the ground. I did the right thing for the horse and I tried to develop the horse. Unfortunately, he didn’t have it today.”

Jockey Julien Leparoux (State of Honor, 2nd): “I had a really good trip. We took the blinkers off. He was a little keen the last time at Tampa so we took the blinkers off and tried to rate him a little bit. He was a little keen on the first turn but he switched off on the backside and he was just second-best. We got through on the fence and he gave me all he’s got. He was just second-best.”

Mark Casse (trainer State of Honor, 2nd): “He was rank and he calmed down a little bit. Maybe off of this race he will relax a little bit more. I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw him in Kentucky.”

Dale Romans (trainer Impressive Edge, 4th):“Still proud of him. He ran a big race. First time two turns. I’m proud of the race he ran. This is a tough plan [next race] to figure out. The Preakness might fit him well.”

Jockey Corey Lanerie (Impressive Edge, 4th): “It was great. He always breaks really sharp and he puts you in a good spot on the first turn. I had to key him up a little bit leaving there but then he settled right down and at the three-eighths pole I really thought I had a good chance. I think his first time going long and the pressure leaning on him a little bit for that first turn kind of hit him late a little bit and I think he got a little tired. But I really like him. I like how he rides. He lets you do what you want with him.”

Trainer Jose Pinchin (Three Rules, 5th): “He ran his race. A better horse won, but he ran his race. The track is lightning fast, so it is what it is. We have to regroup with the owners and see what they want to do.”

Jockey Joe Bravo (Talk Logistics, 6th): “I had a really nice trip, sitting comfortable. They were going a nice, honest pace. My horse is just going to need more distance. He was getting to them late. We’ve got good things ahead of us.”

Jockey Luis Saez (Three Rules, 4th): “It was perfect, man. He broke so good and at the half-mile I thought we had it but when I saw [jockey] Johnny [Velazquez aboard Always Dreaming] coming I said, ‘Uh oh. We’re in trouble.’ He still ran good.”

Jockey Jose Ortiz (Coleman Rocky, 7th): “It was good but my horse [didn’t like] when the dirt hit him in the face, so to make his move I had to put him all the way in the clear. When I put him in the clear he made a good run. I think when he matures a little bit more he’s going to be a good horse.”

Cover Photo: Always Dreaming; Lauren King Photo

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets.