Gulfstream: Florida Derby Day Facts

By David Joseph —-

Florida Derby Day Facts

Baffert in March: Gulfstream has been good to trainer Bob Baffert. He’s won the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) three times, the Donn Handicap (Captain Steve), and his first Grade 1 win came at Gulfstream when he saddled Thirty Slews to victory in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). But he’s never won the Florida Derby, and Madaket Road will be only his second starter in the race. His only previous runner? Spielberg, who finished eighth in 2021.

In all, Baffert has raced 10 horses at Gulfstream since 2003.

A Favorite for Mott: Trainer Bill Mott has won just about every major race…except the Florida Derby. Mott has come close, however. In 2002 he saddled Blue Burner to a second-place finish behind favored Harlan’s Holiday. And in 2018, Mott saddled Hofburg to a second-place finish behind favored Audible. He saddles the favorite Saturday in Sovereignty.

Pletcher Aims for No. 9: No one comes to close to trainer Todd Pletcher when it comes to winning the Florida Derby. He attempts to win his ninth Derby with Disruptor, who will be making his third career start. This will be nothing new for Pletcher, who saddled Constitution (2014) and Materiality (2015) to Florida Derby victories in their third career starts.

Franco Returns to Gulfstream: Jockey Manny Franco, named the replace injured Junior Alvarado on Derby favorite Sovereignty, has not ridden at Gulfstream since the 2019-2020 meet. During the Covid-restricted meet, Franco had 30 mounts, winning with four, including the Derby and Holy Bull (G3) with Tiz the Law and the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) with Mr Freeze.

Trying to Make History: Smoken Boy will attempt to become the first horse who raced originally in Puerto Rico to win the Florida Derby. The Kentucky-bred won all three of his races as a 2-year-old in Puerto Rico by a total of 16 lengths. After finishing eight in the Sam Davis at Tampa Bay in his U.S. debut in February, he was claimed for $75,000 by KEM Stables at Gulfstream Feb. 27.

The last horse from outside North America to ship in for the Derby was Catire Bello in 1992. The Venezuelan import finished 6th.

Not Kind to Longshots: Yes, there have been some big upset winners of the Florida Derby…Williamston Kid ($183.60), Croeso ($172), Friends Lake ($76.80), Brian’s Time ($67.60). But in the last dozen years, only two winners have paid more than $9 – Known Agenda ($12.80) in 2021 and Maximum Security ($11.60) in 2019.

Mike Smith Goes for Derby #4: Jockey Mike Smith, who replaces the injured Tyler Gaffalione on Madaket Road, will attempt to win his fourth Derby and his first since 1996, when Unbridled’s Song provided Smith his third consecutive Derby win. He previously won aboard Thunder Gulch in 1995 and Holy Bull in 1994.

Three-Peat for Repole and Pletcher: If Disruptor wins the Derby, Mike Repole will become the first owner to win three consecutive Florida Derbys in partnership or as a sole owner. Repole won with Fierceness last year and was co-owner of 2023 winner Forte with St. Elias Stable.

Meanwhile, Pletcher will become the first trainer to saddle three consecutive winners having saddled both Fierceness and Forte. Pletcher has also won back-to-back Derbys in 2017-2018 and 2014-2015.

McGaughey, the Oaks, and Champions: Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey will seek his sixth Gulfstream Park Oaks victory with Cassiar, a $400,000 daughter of Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light who will be making just her second start. McGaughey’s winners in the Oaks have been Kathleen O. (2022), Glitter Woman (1997), My Flag (1996), Inside Information (1994) and Dispute (1993).

Past winners of the Gulfstream Park Oaks include Hall of Famers Inside Information (1998), Open Mind (1989) and Davona Dale (1979); champions Banshee Breeze (1998) and Christmas Past (1982); Kentucky Oaks winner Dispute (1993); Swiss Skydiver, who went on to take the 2020 Preakness (G1) against males; and subsequent Grade 1 winners Power Squeeze (2024), Birdonthewire (2015), Devil May Care (2010), Glitter Woman (1997), My Flag (1996), Charon (1990) and Miss Oceana (1984).

Clement for the Orchids: Trainer Christophe Clement saddles La Mehana Sacaya in the Orchid (G3). A victory would give Clement his eighth victory in the 1 ½ mile turf event for fillies and mares. Clement’s most recent victory came in 2023 with Amazing Grace.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information email david.joseph@GulfstreamPark.com and visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.