Gunnevera must overcome wide draw in Florida Derby

Preview: USA, Saturday 11.40pm BST (live on ATR)

Gulfstream Park: Florida Derby (Grade 1) 1m1f | dirt | 3yo

Leading Kentucky Derby contender Gunnevera (Antonio Sano/Javier Castellano) faces the acid test of his Classic credentials as he breaks from the outside post in the $1 million Florida Derby.

Four of the last 11 Florida winners have gone on to success at Churchill Downs, namely Barbaro (2006), Big Brown (2008), Orb (2013) and last year's winner Nyquist.

In a muddled Kentucky Derby picture, Gunnevera is rated 12-1 second favourite behind McCraken with British bookmakers after overwhelming his rivals to take the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth by nearly six lengths with a come-from-behind victory at this venue four weeks ago.

"The horse started out strong and with the longer distance, he's become stronger and stronger," said trainer Antonio Sano. "We've never been on this stage before, so we're nervous, I'll admit that. But at the same time, we have all the faith in the horse, and I know he's going to take us there."

Although wide draws have a shocking record at this 1m1f trip at Gulfstream, it may not affect Gunnevera as much as it might as he habitually drops in behind his opponents and won't be trying to get anywhere near the lead.

A strong pace aided Gunnevera on his most recent outing, and connections will be hoping for a similar scenario here. "My biggest concern is the pace," added Sano. "There looks like there is less pace in this race than the last one."

Among potential pace-setters are the speedy Three Rules (Jose Pinchin/Luis Saez), back for more after coming third in the Fountain of Youth, and State Of Honor (Mark Casse/Julien Leparoux), who has made the running on his last two starts at Tampa.

Three Rules, though, also has a wide draw in gate ten, one inside the favourite, although they are both likely to move one box nearer the fence as Todd Pletcher is expected to scratch Battalion Runner, leaving highly rated Always Dreaming (John Velazquez) as his sole representative as he bids to win the Florida Derby for the fourth time.

Always Dreaming is stepping right up in grade after winning both three-year-old starts in lesser company.

Florida Derby betting
Coral: 8-11 Gunnevera, 4 Battalion Runner, 11-2 Always Dreaming, 10 State Of Honor, Three Rules, 16 Impressive Edge, 66 Talk Logistics, 100 bar

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