No different prelude to the Kentucky Derby has produced extra winners than the Florida Derby, together with 4 of the final 10 and 5 of the final 13 of the 26 whole winners of the For the Roses race at Gulfstream Park.
Simply final 12 months, Sovereignty was named Horse of the Yr after ending runner-up within the Florida Derby and successful the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
1 million {dollars} this 12 months Carlin Florida Derby Offered by Hill and Dale Farms at Xalapa He assembled a powerful forged of 9 3-year-old horses (Redland Rebels studies the quantity will probably be eight). This group consists of the highest two winners of the Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream, the winner of the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, and the Esmark Tampa Bay Derby winner, who boasts critical Florida firepower.
The Florida Derby is scheduled for six:42 p.m. ET and the highest 5 finishers will obtain qualifying factors for the Kentucky Derby offered by Woodford Reserve on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10. Horse racing followers can watch the Florida Derby on NBCSN for a one-hour broadcast from 6 to 7 p.m. ET. The race may even be streamed on Peacock and aired on FanDuelTV.
Wagering supplied on the Florida Derby are Single Present, Exta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Tremendous Hello-5, all obtainable by Gulfstream Park’s companions. 1/ST guess.
Let’s take a better take a look at the Florida Derby Discipline.
1. Albus (AM line odds 20-1)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
coach: Riley Mott
Proprietor: pin oak studs
Work historical past: 3 begins – 1 win – 0 seconds – 1 third
Profession revenue: $36,288
High numbers for equal base velocity: 87
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Yaupon – Adream, by Bernardini
colour: darkish bay or brown
Working model: please choose up the tempo
evaluation: On February 27, Albus took a fantastic step ahead in his third begin, scoring his first win within the mile and 40 yard race at Tampa Bay Downs by 6 3/4 lengths. Albus, a black/brown colt who’s the primary offspring of Grade 1 winner Yaupon, has tactical velocity and will stand out within the early phases of the Florida Derby together with a number of agile runners. Albus, who was bought for $320,000 on the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2024, missed out on a spot in his debut race at Keeneland in October 2025 and suffered a crushing defeat, however completed third at Churchill Downs in November. His return from a three-month layoff has proven promising progress and if Albus can develop once more he might be a contender for a top-three end. Elite jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who gained this race in 2022 with White Avario, will take up the mount for coach Riley Mott.
2. Chief Wallaby (2-1)
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
coach: Invoice Mott
Proprietor: michael ball and katherine ball
Work historical past: 2 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 0 three innings
Profession revenue: $117,600
High numbers for equal base velocity: 99
Kentucky Derby factors: twenty 5
Pedigree: Structure – A La Lucie, written by Medaglia d’Oro
colour: bay
Working model: stalker/nearer
evaluation: Chief Wallaby made a fantastic first impression, successful his debut by a size and a half within the Dash at Gulfstream Park on January tenth. The Esmark Tampa Bay Derby was a welcome victory for runner-up The Puma when he got here from behind to win. Chief Wallaby made his stakes debut within the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on February 28, displaying his wits off the tempo, however fell simply in need of Commandment in an exhilarating battle with Gulfstream. Chief Wallaby and Commandment each earned equal base velocity figures of 99 at Fountain of Youth, tied for the best on a Florida Derby observe. Chief Wallaby has room for enchancment in his third profession begin for Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott — he seemed a little bit idle after main Fountain of Youth, however fought again when he noticed Comanment come inside — and his pedigree suggests he ought to take pleasure in extra distance as he stretches out to 1 1/8 miles. He was a powerful favourite for Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado to win, and he in the end completed second on this race final 12 months to Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes Offered by NYRA Bets winner Sovereignty.
3. Wayne’s Legislation (15-1)
Jockey: Marcos Meneses
coach: Amador Sanchez
Proprietor: Baalbeck
Work historical past: 5 begins – 2 wins – 1 double – 2 triples
Profession revenue: $135,530
High numbers for equal base velocity: 94
Kentucky Derby factors: 10
Pedigree: Tiz the Legislation – Molly Melisa, Harlan’s Vacation
colour: chestnut
Working model: please choose up the tempo
evaluation: Wayne’s Legislation has stakes wins on Gulfstream Park’s principal observe, successful the 1-mile Aventura Stakes by 7 3/4 lengths as a 2-year-old in September 2025, and completed his youth with a 3rd place within the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs in November. The Tiz the Row colt returned from a two-and-a-half month refreshment within the Sam F. Davis Stakes on February 7, setting the tempo at odds of 48.20 to 1 at Tampa Bay Downs earlier than giving approach late to Kentucky Derby favourite Renegade. Wayne’s Legislation completed 2 1/4 lengths behind third-place finisher The Puma within the Sam F. Davis, however a subsequent Tampa Bay Derby victory gave Puma a good higher second-place end. Wayne’s Legislation ought to enhance in his second begin after the layoff within the 2026 two-turn race, and he might be at or close to the entrance as he approaches the straight, though he’ll possible pay a heavy worth once more. It is a high quality observe for the Florida Derby, however Wayne’s Legislation is a contender to boost the trifecta.
4. Commandment (5-2)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
coach: brad cox
Proprietor: wasnan racing
Work historical past: 4 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 instances 3 instances
Profession revenue: $403,539
High numbers for equal base velocity: 99
Kentucky Derby factors: 50
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Sippican Harbor, Orb
colour: bay
Working model: stalker
evaluation: Commandment, by the Orb-bred G1 winner Sippican Harbor-bred everlasting main sire Into Mischief, was bought for $475,000 on the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale. The bay colt has gained three straight heading into the Florida Derby and is called a prime favourite at Gulfstream’s dwelling observe together with his elite velocity numbers and consecutive stakes wins. Within the one-mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes, he overwhelmed six opponents with a 6-3/4 size run, and within the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, he beat Chief Wallaby by a neck after a dream-like inside flip. Coach Brad Cox, who gained final 12 months’s Florida Derby with Tappan Avenue, appears to be getting higher at his command every time he begins, and Flavien Prat may even be using him. Cox and Pratt have gained at a 33% clip for the reason that begin of 2025 and have a fantastic probability so as to add to that success with Commandment.
5. Redland Rebels (15-1)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
coach: Patrick Biancone
Proprietor: calypso racing stables
Work historical past: 4 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 0 three innings
Profession revenue: $104,500
High numbers for equal base velocity: 90
Kentucky Derby factors: 10
Pedigree: Uncle Chuck – Kombat Cat, by D’wildcat
colour: darkish bay or brown
Working model: pacesetter
evaluation: The colt is bred to compete in Saturday’s Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and can run in that race slightly than the Florida Derby, in response to a report within the Every day Racing Type.
6. Nearly (3-1)
Jockey: John Velasquez
coach: tod plecher
Proprietor: Centennial Farms
Work historical past: 4 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 instances 3 instances
Profession revenue: $249,900
High numbers for equal base velocity: 92
Kentucky Derby factors: 20
Pedigree: Not this time – Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft
colour: darkish bay or brown
Working model: stalker/speed up the tempo
evaluation: Neary hasn’t raced since Jan. 31, when he gained the G3 Holy Bull Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths on the primary course at Gulfstream Park. The week after Holy Bull, the Not This Time colt moved to second place in Byron King’s Derby Dozen and first place within the NTRA High 3-Yr-Outdated Ballot. Greater than seven weeks later, a lot has modified for Derby horses, however Neary stays a powerful contender for third place on each lists. However for Neary, the Florida Derby is a make-or-break race in comparison with the Kentucky Derby. Certain, he is gained three races in a row by 5 to 9 1/4 lengths, however with solely 20 qualifying factors to date, he may have a top-two end to safe a spot within the beginning gate at Churchill Downs on Could 2. Neary has been working steadily in the direction of this race since Holy Bull. The horse is quick, well-bred, and his tactical velocity makes him a formidable power for coach Todd Pletcher, who has gained the Florida Derby eight instances, and jockey John Velasquez, who has gained the race six instances. Corridor of Fame horses Pletcher and Velasquez gained the Florida Derby 4 instances with Materiality (2015), At all times Dreaming (2017), Audible (2018) and Fierceness (2024).
7. Everlasting Victory (20-1)
Jockey: Jose Morelos
coach: eddie presa jr.
Proprietor: Leon Elman, Glassman Racing, Rory Presa
Work historical past: 6 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 2/3
Profession revenue: $106,390
High numbers for equal base velocity: 83
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: By My Requirements – Memento, by Nyquist
colour: bay
Working model: stalker/speed up the tempo
evaluation: Timeless Victory gained an allowance race at this observe on March 1 for coach Eddie Presa Jr. over a distance of 1 1/8 miles by six lengths. The horse earned the perfect Equibase velocity determine of his profession, and with this victory tied his career-best Beyer velocity determine, bettering his report to 2 1/3 in three races on filth (the primary three races had been raced on grass or all-weather tracks). Timeless Victory tends to favor racing on filth, however he might want to enhance considerably for the Florida Derby. In his solely stakes try previously, he fell down the order and misplaced badly, although it was on grass, and he wants to enhance his velocity numbers by 10 to fifteen factors to complete within the prime three. On the plus aspect, Timeless Victory has gained at this distance and comes from the household of Belmont Stakes winners Jazir (2006) and Rags to Riches (2007), so stamina should not be a difficulty. Timeless Victory would be the final horse to run after Presa Jr., a coach who has been within the Florida horse racing trade for greater than 50 years, informed Paulick Report’s Tom Pedula on March 23 that he could be retiring on the finish of the week.
8. Puma (9-2)
Jockey: Javier Castellano
coach: Gustavo Delgado
Proprietor: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, Excessive Step Racing
Work historical past: 3 begins – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Profession revenue: $244,280
High numbers for equal base velocity: 95
Kentucky Derby factors: 56
Pedigree: Important high quality – On the eve of battle, with the declaration of battle
colour: chestnut
Working model: close by
evaluation: Pumas wanted three begins to get his first profession win, however he confirmed sufficient potential to tug off a breakthrough win within the Esmark Tampa Bay Derby on March seventh. In his profession debut at Gulfstream Park on January 10, he took the lead, however settled for second behind his Florida Derby opponent, Chief Wallaby. Puma then made his stakes debut within the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, ending third, a race gained by main Kentucky Derby contender Renegade. Then, within the Tampa Bay Derby, the Important High quality colt made an attention grabbing run to defeat Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes winner Father Add by three-quarters of a size, regardless of racing out extensive from starting to finish. Puma very possible gained the Tampa Bay Derby and earned sufficient qualifying factors to safe a spot within the Kentucky Derby, however his connections felt that yet one more preparatory race could be helpful for this evenly raced colt. Coach Gustavo Delgado took second place with Mage within the 2023 Florida Derby and gained the Kentucky Derby. Puma jockey Javier Castellano rode Structure to victory within the 2014 Florida Derby and led Mage to victory within the Kentucky Derby.
9. Sociable (50-1)
Jockey: rajiv marag
coach: Jose Castro
Proprietor: JC Racing Stables
Work historical past: 1 begin – 0 wins – 1 second – 0 third
Profession revenue: $14,960
High numbers for equal base velocity: 72
Kentucky Derby factors: 0
Pedigree: Mo City – Ultimatum, Mineshaft
colour: darkish bay or brown
Working model: pacesetter
evaluation: Gregarius will nearly actually have the perfect odds within the Florida Derby. The Motown-bred Darkish Bay or Brown colt made his solely earlier begin at this observe on Feb. 21, ending second with a distance of 1 1/8 miles to Autobahn, who completed final of 9 within the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby final week. Gregarius might want to enhance his Equibase Velocity Determine by about 25 factors when he steps as much as stakes motion for the primary time in a significant Kentucky Derby lead-up. He set sturdy minutes in his debut, carving out a transparent benefit early on, so we count on Gregarius to face out early and really possible be a key think about shaping the tempo of the Florida Derby. It will be superb to see him nonetheless in competition within the deep stretches.
