Kentucky Derby hopefuls go on trial in Florida Derby despite uncertain future

10.36 Gulfstream Park, Saturday
Curlin Florida Derby | Grade 1 | 1m1f | 3yo | Sky

This year the Kentucky Derby will not be run until September, but when the race is belatedly staged form students will likely need to scrutinise Saturday's Florida Derby, given its rich history.

Since the turn of the century, six Florida Derby winners have gone on to glory at Churchill Downs. Last year's winner, Maximum Security, also crossed the line first in the Kentucky Derby but was then disqualified for causing interference on the first turn.

Todd Pletcher has been the trainer to follow in Florida Derby, with four of the last six winners including 2017 winner Always Dreaming, who went on to win the Kentucky Derby.

Florida Derby card

This year Pletcher has two chances, with Gouverneur Morris considered the more likely of his duo in the betting.

A son of Constitution, who won this race for Pletcher in 2014, Gouverneur Morris was being considered for the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. But with uncertainty surrounding racing taking place at those tracks due to the coronavirus outbreak, connections elected to go to Gulfstream Park.

Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form: "With everything going on, if he trained accordingly, now is the time to run. He put in a very good breeze on Saturday, so we felt it's better to take the opportunity that's right in front of us with the all the uncertainty that's going on."

Ete Indien: leading contender in the Florida DerbyCredit: Coglianese Photos

The trainer also runs Candy Tycoon, runner-up in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at the track last time behind Ete Indien, who reopposes.

Favourite Tiz The Law had Ete Indien three lengths behind him when taking the Grade 3 Holy Bull last month, and is fancied to make it four wins from five starts for trainer Barclay Tagg and jockey
Manuel Franco.

Read more:

Kentucky Derby postponed until September as US battles coronavirus

Top US jockey Javier Castellano tests positive for coronavirus

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