2019 Florida Derby Study Guide

Mar 29, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Eleven sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) . The Road to the Kentucky Derby series event offers 100 points to the victor, with the top pair more than likely to qualify for the Run for the Roses on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

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Here is the talented field:

Hidden Scroll Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $50,600

Top BRIS Speed rating (102) in maiden victory

Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (KY)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Sheba Queen
Color: Bay

The morning-line choice set wicked fractions before tiring late in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) most recently. The Kentucky-bred draws well inside and will be the one to catch and beat with a clean break in this spot. Javier Castellano inherits the mount.

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Current Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $222,850

Top BRIS Speed rating (90) for third in Dania Beach Stakes

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Robert V. Lapenta
Breeder: Hinkle Farms (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Manuel Franco

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Crosswinds
Color: Chestnut

This proven turf performer was third in his seasonal debut, the Dania Beach Stakes, and will attempt to transfer his ability to the main surface here. The $725,000 yearling purchase comes in with a bullet drill in advance of this test. The colt could be a late exotics contender with a step forward.

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Harvey Wallbanger Career Racing Stats

5 Starts
2 Wins
3 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $299,520

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) in Holy Bull Stakes (G2) score

Owner: Harold Lerner LLC, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott K. Akman and Paul Braverman
Breeder: Tony Holmes and Dr. & Mrs. Walter Zent (KY)
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Sire: Congrats
Dam: Adorabell
Color: Bay

The Kentucky-bred has been first or second in each of his five assignments to date. The Holy Bull Stakes (G2) hero smoked a half-mile bullet most recently on this oval and will be rallying from well off the early tempo.

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Bourbon War Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $155,100

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) for fourth in Remsen Stakes (G2) and allowance win

Owner: Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable
Breeder: Conquest Stables LLC (KY)
Trainer: Mark Hennig
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Tapit
Dam: My Conquestadory
Color: Chestnut

This well-bred son of Tapit put in a fine rally to be runner-up in the Fountain of Youth (G2) last out. The talented three-year-old should relish the added distance in this spot and rates as a major player once again.

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Everfast Career Racing Stats

8 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $113,885

Top BRIS Speed rating (94) in Holy Bull Stakes (G2) second

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Extern Developments (KY)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Chris Landeros

Sire: Take Charge Indy
Dam: Awesome Surprise
Color: Bay

The Holy Bull Stakes (G2) runner-up never fired in the Fountain of Youth and will look to rebound in this major test. The inconsistent Kentucky-bred will need a lifetime best to challenge the top runners in this field.

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Hard Belle Career Racing Stats

13 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $43,360

Top BRIS Speed rating (79) for fourth and fifth-placings in allowance/optional claimers

Owner: Thoroughbred Champions Training Center
Breeder: Charles Fipke (KY)
Trainer: Jamie Mejia
Jockey: Jose Batista

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Bourbon Belle
Color: Dark Bay

The dark bay colt has not hit the board in five straight races and would be an impossible winner of this event. He could be an early pace presence but has little chance to be in the race turning for home.

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Maximum Security Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
3 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $66,600

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) in allowance/optional claiming victory

Owner: Gary and Mary West
Breeder: Gary and Mary West Stables Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Jason Servis
Jockey: Luis Saez

Sire: New Year’s Day
Dam: Lil Indy
Color: Bay

A wildcard in the cast, he has been untested following a trio of dominant triumphs against lesser at this venue. The former maiden claimer could be any kind in his first serious class test. The homebred will be forwardly placed from the start.

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Bodexpress Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
0 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $20,700

Top BRIS Speed rating (97) for second in maiden

Owner: Top Racing LLC and Global Thoroughbreds LLC
Breeder: Martha Jane Mulholland (KY)
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Nik Juarez

Sire: Bodemeister
Dam: Pied a Terre
Color: Bay

This longshot comes off his best run to date when a neck second in a maiden special weight race here. The Kentucky-bred has ability, though he picks an awfully ambitious spot to garner his first career victory.

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Code of Honor Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $384,820

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) in Champagne Stakes (G1) second and Fountain of Youth (G2) win

Owner: W. S. Farish
Breeder: W. S. Farish (KY)
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Noble Mission
Dam: Reunited
Color: Chestnut

The Fountain of Youth (G2) winner has a strong turn of foot and could surely move forward in his third assignment of 2019. The Kentucky-bred colt shows two bullet drills following his biggest win to date, and he will be a force with any kind of forward move on Saturday.

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Union’s Destiny Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $43,750

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) for third in Smooth Air Stakes

Owner: Los Samanes LLC
Breeder: CESA Farm (KY)
Trainer: Juan Avila
Jockey: Leonel Reyes

Sire: Union Rags
Dam: Ms Anna Destiny
Color: Bay

This sneaky exotics contender had little chance in the Fountain of Youth (G2) after going seven wide in the early going. This colt ran a big one two back in the Smooth Air Stakes and he should be of great value in his second run this season.

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Garter and Tie Career Racing Stats

8 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $286,970

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Smooth Air Stakes triumph

Owner: Jacks or Better Farm Inc.
Breeder: Jacks or Better Farm Inc. (FL)
Trainer: Ralph Nicks
Jockey: Jeffrey Sanchez

Sire: Brooks ‘n Down
Dam: Garter Belt
Color: Dark Bay

This Florida-bred ran evenly in the Holy Bull (G2) most recently and will run with blinkers off for the initial time in here. The multiple stakes hero draws widest in the field. However, he owns the top BRIS Speed numbers among the cast (103 and 102) and can’t be ignored at a nice price.