Study Guide: 2025 Florida Derby

Mar 25, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Disruptor breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson)

The $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park is one of the most productive Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers.

The 1 1/8-mile race has produced seven Kentucky Derby (G1) winners since the turn of the century, most recently Mage in 2023.

A talented 10-horse field has lined up for the 2025 Florida Derby, which awards Kentucky Derby qualification points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis to the top five finishers. Let’s meet the entrants:

Neoequos

Neoequos (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, and Stefania Farms
Breeder: Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon, and Matalona Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Edgard Zayas

Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing second in the FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $179,050

Sire: Neolithic
Dam: Bold Birdie
Color: Bay

A top-three finisher in four straight stakes at Gulfstream Park, Neoequos exits a pacesetting third-place finish in the Fountain of Youth (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He’s the fastest Florida Derby entrant from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective and has a strong chance to secure another top-three finish.

Cool Intentions

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: AMO Racing USA
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings
Trainer: Jorge Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $62,810

Sire: Authentic
Dam: Intentional Cry
Color: Bay

Cool Intentions has won twice at Gulfstream Park, but he finished fifth when making his stakes debut in the Mucho Macho Man S. over this track. He’ll need improvement to challenge against tougher foes in the Florida Derby.

Smoken Boy

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: KEM Stables
Breeder: Robert V. LaPenta
Trainer: Cheryl Winebaugh
Jockey: Edgar Perez

Top Speed Rating: (75) when finishing eighth in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $47,260

Sire: Catholic Boy
Dam: Smoken Deb
Color: Gray/roan

An accomplished runner from Puerto Rico, Smoken Boy has struggled in his first two Florida starts, including an eighth in the Sam F. Davis S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He’ll need better to challenge in the Florida Derby.

Disruptor

Disruptor breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich, and Mark Parkinson
Breeder: Runnymede Farm and Peter J. Callahan
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $49,000

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Margate Gardens
Color: Chestnut

Disruptor was tons the best in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream on March 1, pressing a hot pace before seizing command and powering clear to win by 9 1/4 lengths. Purchased for $1.15 million as a yearling, Disruptor looks like a possible star in the making for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won the Florida Derby a record eight times.

KENTUCKY DERBY MAIDEN WATCH: DISRUPTOR LIVES UP TO HIS NAME

Is Disruptor ready to disrupt the Road to the Kentucky Derby? It’s possible after the chestnut colt delivered a fast maiden victory at Gulfstream Park last Saturday.https://t.co/t9RpYLSRh4

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 5, 2025

Indecisiveness

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Just For Fun Stable
Breeder: Just For Fun Stable
Trainer: Ruben Sierra
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz

Top Speed Rating: (84) when winning a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $62,668

Sire: Decisive Moment
Dam: Cafe de Nuit
Color: Dark bay/brown

Indecisiveness exits a third-place finish in a $75,000 allowance optional claimer over the Florida Derby track and distance. His career-best 84 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light against Saturday’s field.

Jimmy’s Dailys

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Donald R. Dizney
Breeder: Donald R. Dizney
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (89) when winning a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $71,770

Sire: Vekoma
Dam: Mama Joyce
Color: Bay

Jimmy’s Dailys finished 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Indecisiveness when second in the above-mentioned $75,000 allowance optional claimer. He’s progressing in the right direction, but has yet to crack the 90 Brisnet Speed rating plateau.

Enterdadragon

Start(s): 9
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Chester A. Bishop, Anthony Hinkson, Alvin Rampaul, PK Ventures, and Grand Cay Breeders and Racing Company
Breeder: Charles Fipke
Trainer: Jose D’Angelo
Jockey: Dylan Davis

Top Speed Rating: (91) when finishing second in the Colonel Liam S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $103,144

Sire: Outwork
Dam: Raising Aida
Color: Bay

Enterdadragon has shown talent on turf, most recently finishing second in the Colonel Liam S. at Gulfstream. But he disappointed in his lone dirt start and must improve to challenge in the Florida Derby.

Madaket Road

Madaket Road wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photography)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: SF Bloodstock
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing second in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $280,000

Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Frolic’s Dream
Color: Gray/roan

Madaket Road has run well against tough competition for six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert. Last time out, he set a fast pace in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park before fighting on to finish second with a 96 Brisnet Speed rating. Madaket Road is dropping his blinkers for the Florida Derby, which may help him to relax early and finish stronger down the homestretch. He’s a logical win contender.

Tappan Street

Tappan Street wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: WinStar Farm, CHC, and Cold Press Racing
Breeder: Blue Heaven Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $73,000

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Virginia Key
Color: Bay

Debut winner Tappan Street ran well in his first Road to the Kentucky Derby, finishing second in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream. That effort yielded a flashy 99 Brisnet Speed rating, suggest this $1 million yearling acquisition has the talent to factor against tougher company in the Florida Derby.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty wins the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $388,800

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Crowned
Color: Bay

Strong homestretch rallies have carried Sovereignty to victory in the Street Sense (G3) and Fountain of Youth (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He won the Fountain of Youth off a four-month break and is eligible to improve while making his second start of the season in the Florida Derby. A third straight stakes win may be in Sovereignty’s future.