2020 Florida Derby: Our guide to the key runners at Gulfstream
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GulfstreamPark isn’t the usual destination for Horse Racing fans on any normal weekend. Yetit’ll take centre-stage on Saturday night as the Florida Derby kicks off the ‘Roadto the Kentucky Derby.’
It’s goingto be one long road this year, with the Kentucky Derby pushed back untilSaturday 5th September.
There arestill plenty of pointers to be gleaned from this 1m 1f contest, though, whichwas won in 2019 by Maximum Security, who went on to land the odds at ChurchillDowns before being demoted down to 17th.
Here we takeyou through the runners and riders for the 2020 Florida Derby, which is live onSky Sports Racing at 10:36 on Saturday night.
Barclay Tagg’sinmate looks set to go off as favourite and deservedly so after racking upthree wins from four in his fledgling career so far, including in the Grade 1Champagne Stakes.
His recentvictory over Ete Indien at Gulfstream has been franked after the runner-uptasted success in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes, so he should be spot onas he goes over the distance for the first time.
IndependenceHall
There arequestion marks over Independence Hall coming into this. The mount of JoelRosario was turned over at odds-on in a Grade 3 contest last time out, whilethe quality of his opponents last season remains sketchy.
Add in that13 of the previous 14 Florida Derby winners had prepped at Gulfstream prior tothe race, and it’s clear to see that history is against the Constitution colttoo.
Favourite Tiz The Law should hold Ete Indien based on theirHoly Bull form. But it’s impossible not to be impressed by the way PatrickBiancone’s charge subsequently won the Fountain of Youth Stakes by 8½l.
Could his progression continue on Saturday? He has the speedand arguably offers the value, although a bad post position and his questionableability to stay after looking tired last time out count against his chances.
Love a stat? Then you’ll love this. Todd Pletcher, who trainsGouverneur Morris, has saddled four of the last six winners of the FloridaStakes, while jockey John Velazquez, who takes the ride, has won five of hisown.
On the form, their hopeful has work to do. Another out ofConstitution, the three-year-old has only run once in Stakes company whenrunner-up to potentially smart unbeaten colt Maxfield in the Breeders’ FuturityStakes.
His return this season didn’t set the world alight, whilespeed figures of 111, 101 and 96 aren’t anything special either. Nevertheless,connections know what they’re doing in this race, and he has to be underconsideration.
As Seen On Tv
An appropriate name given the current situation around theworld but unlikely to get people up off the settee after an 8¾l defeat to EteIndien last time out, form which he’ll have to reverse in some style here.
He’s bred to get the distance, and although a draw near therail will help him, he’s unlikely to take the spoils.
Ajaaweed
Everything was set up perfectly for Ajaaweed in the Sam F.Davis last time out yet the Curlin colt made no impression and finished a 14lthird.
He’ll benefit from the extended trip on offer here, but he’llneed a strong pace and a marked improvement if he’s to be involved at thefinish. It seems unlikely.
Candy Tycoon
Another for that man Todd Pletcher and perhaps a tadoverpriced given his runner-up berth to Ete Indien in the Fountain of Youth.Granted he finished 8½l behind, but it was a run which did representimprovement.
With only one win under his belt in a Maiden at the start atthe year it’ll be a big ask for him to go out and take a race like this. But ifhe continues to improve as a three-year-old, he could finish higher up than someexpect.
The Rest
History suggests seriously long-odds outsiders don’t standmuch of a chance in the Florida Derby. Each of the last nine winners have gonein at under 10/1, with 2011 victor IceBox at 20/1 the last to upset the trend.
That leaves the likes of Disc Jockey, Shivaree, Soros,Sassy But Smart and My First Grammy facing an enormous challenge atGulfstream. If you fancy one of them, you can check out their odds on our sportsbook.
All oddsand markets correct as of date of publication
