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Study Guide: 2024 Florida Derby
Mar 25, 2024 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com
![Hades and Fierceness turn for home in the Holy Bull](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Hades-2024HolyBull-ACNicoleThomas1280.jpg)
Hades shrugs off a challenge from odds-on champion Fierceness in the Holy Bull (Photo by Nicole Thomas/Coglianese Photos)
A total of 200 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points are on the line in Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The prestigious 1 1/8-mile contest has produced 25 Kentucky Derby (G1) winners through the years, including last year's Mage.
A field of 11 has turned out for the 2024 Florida Derby, led by champion Fierceness. Let's take a horse-by-horse look at the field:
Frankie's Empire
Start(s): 8
Wins: 4
Place: 0
Show: 2
Owner: Frank DeLuca
Breeder: Ralph Kinder and Erv Woolsey
Trainer: Michael Yates
Jockey: Miguel Vasquez
Top Speed Rating: (93) when winning the Swale S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $225,700
Sire: Classic Empire
Dam: Donna D
Color: Dark bay/brown
Frankie's Empire closed some ground to finish third by two lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream four weeks ago, but it's worth noting he's 4-for-4 sprinting on dirt and 0-for-3 running long. Stretching out over 1 1/8 miles may push the limits of his stamina.
Hades
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Hades-the-Holy-Bull-credit-Lauren-King-copy-300x240.jpeg)
Hades wins the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Adam Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: D. J. Stable and Robert Cotran
Breeder: Ocala Stud, Joseph M. O'Farrell III, David O'Farrell, et al.
Trainer: Joseph Orseno
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning an allowance at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $225,000
Sire: Awesome Slew
Dam: The Shady Lady
Color: Bay
Hades is undefeated in three starts, all at Gulfstream Park. Last time out, he capitalized on a slow pace to win the Holy Bull (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby by two lengths over next-out Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Domestic Product. But Hades figures to face more pace pressure in the Florida Derby, which could compromise his chances.
Bail Us Out
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Bail-Us-Out-AC-credit-Ryan-Thompson40-300x240.jpg)
Bail Us Out (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Hillcroft Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Top Speed Rating: (85) when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $45,000
Sire: Lookin At Lucky
Dam: Joffe's Run
Color: Bay
Bail Us Out battled to victory in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight over Gulfstream's synthetic Tapeta track last month, but he'd previously finished fourth in his debut on dirt. There's no reason from a pedigree perspective to believe Bail Us Out can't handle dirt, but switching surfaces while stepping up sharply in class for the Florida Derby could be tricky.
Grand Mo the First
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Grand-Mo-the-First-ACcredit-Lauren-King224-300x240.jpg)
Grand Mo the First (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 3
Owner: Granpollo Stable
Breeder: John D. Gunther
Trainer: Victor Barboza Jr.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing third in the Swale S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $121,650
Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Lilies So Fair
Color: Dark bay/brown
Never out of the trifecta in five starts on dirt, turf, and Tapeta, Grand Mo the First exits a close third-place finish (beaten only a neck) in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. However, the Florida Derby is a tougher spot, and Grand Mo the First's career-best 87 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light.
Real Macho
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Real-Macho-AC-credit-Angelo-Lieto68-300x240.jpg)
Real Macho (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Rohan Crichton, Daniel L. Walters, and Dennis G. Smith
Breeder: Poe Racing Stable
Trainer: Rohan Crichton
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a Gulfstream Park allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $88,320
Sire: Mucho Macho Man
Dam: Hedonism
Color: Chestnut
After winning a $75,000 allowance optional claimer racing one mile at Gulfstream, Real Macho made his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut in the Fountain of Youth, finishing fourth by 7 3/4 lengths. He came home 5 3/4 lengths behind third-place finisher Frankie's Empire and will need improvement to turn the tables on Saturday.
Le Dom Bro
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/le-dom-bro-081123-AC-Saratoga-300x240.jpg)
Le Dom Bro wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 6
Wins: 1
Place: 4
Show: 0
Owner: Vicente Stella Stables
Breeder: Teneri Farms
Trainer: Eniel Cordero
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez
Top Speed Rating: (92) when finishing second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $168,450
Sire: Mucho Macho Man
Dam: Valiant Emilia
Color: Bay
Le Dom Bro put up a good fight in the Fountain of Youth, racing in second position all the way around the track while beaten only 1 3/4 lengths by Remsen (G2) winner Dornoch at the finish line. Le Dom Bro is improving steadily, though his racing record to date suggests 1 1/8 miles might be a little farther than he wants to run.
Catalytic
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Catalytic-AC-credit-Ryan-Thompson262-300x240.jpg)
Catalytic (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Tami Bobo, Julie Davies, and George G. Isaacs
Breeder: Fred W. Hertrich III
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing second in a Tampa Bay Downs allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $30,825
Sire: Catalina Cruiser
Dam: One Show Only
Color: Bay
Catalytic closed a lot of ground to finish second in a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Tampa Bay Downs last time out, but he's never run farther than 6 1/2 furlongs and has a pedigree that's geared a bit more toward speed than stamina. Stepping up in both class and distance could be challenging.
Seminole Chief
![Seminole Chief](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/Seminole-Chief-12022023-In-Reality-ACcredit-Ryan-Thompson-48-300x240.jpg)
Seminole Chief (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 5
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Brad Grady and David Grund
Breeder: Brad Grady and Misty Grady
Trainer: Jack Sisterson
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Top Speed Rating: (90) when winning the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality S. at Gulfstream Park
Total Earnings: $254,435
Sire: Girvin
Dam: Secret Song
Color: Gray/roan
Seminole Chief has won three of his five starts, including the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality S. racing 1 1/16-miles against Florida-breds at Gulfstream last year. But he struggled in his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut, finishing last over a muddy track in the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct, so stepping up against Grade 1 company in the Florida Derby is a question mark.
Conquest Warrior
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Conquest-Warrior-AC69-300x240.jpg)
Conquest Warrior (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Courtlandt Farms
Breeder: Betz/B&K Canetti/J. Betz/CoCoEquine/D. J. Stables
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Top Speed Rating: (88) when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $96,000
Sire: City of Light
Dam: Tea Time
Color: Bay
Conquest Warrior was much the best in a $75,000 allowance optional claimer racing 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park on March 1, sweeping from three lengths off the pace to dominate by five lengths. But he'll need to improve upon his career-best 88 Brisnet Speed rating to challenge against tougher foes in the Florida Derby.
Fierceness
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/fierceness-breeders-cup-11032023-horsephotos1-300x200.jpg)
Breeders' Cup champion Fierceness is favored to rebound in the Florida Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Top Speed Rating: (112) when winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $1,127,250
Sire: City of Light
Dam: Nonna Bella
Color: Bay
Reigning champion two-year-old male Fierceness has shown flashes of brilliance and threw down a massive 112 Brisnet Speed rating when winning the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) by 6 1/4 lengths. He struggled in his 2024 debut, finishing third behind Hades in the Holy Bull, but Fierceness endured a troubled start and wasn't helped by the slow pace. He's trained fast for the Florida Derby and may rebound in a big way for trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won this race a record seven times.
Iris's Dream
![](https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Iriss-Dream-AC-credit-Lauren-King47-300x240.jpg)
Iris's Dream (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Iris Cotto
Breeder: Iris Y. Cotto
Trainer: Cheryl Winebaugh
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
Top Speed Rating: (84) when finishing second in a $50,000 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $42,860
Sire: Jess's Dream
Dam: Smart Kiara
Color: Bay
Iris's Dream dominated a $50,000 maiden optional claimer over the Gulfstream Park turf course last month, winning the 1 1/16-mile contest by 7 1/4 lengths. But he's 0-for-2 on dirt and needs to improve upon his career-best 84 Brisnet Speed rating to challenge in the Florida Derby.
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