Undefeated Barbaro was installed as the early 8-5 favorite in a field of 11 3-year-olds entered Wednesday in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, and drew an unfavorable No. 10 post in his final prep before the Kentucky Derby on May 6.
"I’m not crazy about the draw," trainer Michael Matz said, "but I think he has enough tactical speed that he won’t get hung out too wide."
Barbaro last raced eight weeks ago, an unusually long layoff during the Derby prep season. But the son of Dynaformer has been training well, and Matz is confident the long wait between races won’t be a problem in Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile race.
Flashy Bull was the second choice at 4-1 off his runner-up effort in the Fountain of Youth on March 4. In that race, Flashy Bull finished third behind Corinthian and First Samurai, but Corinthian was DQ’d to third after impeding horses in the stretch and First Samurai was declared the winner. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Flashy Bull was fourth in the Holy Bull and has one victory in eight starts.
Sharp Humor, winner of the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream on March 4, was the third choice at 5-1. The speedy colt trained by Dale Romans is among several expected to set the pace.
Trainers Nick Zito and Todd Pletcher each entered two horses. Zito, still looking for a Kentucky Derby hopeful a year after failing to win last year’s race with a record-tying five horses, will send out Hesanoldsalt and Doc Cheney; Pletcher, with plenty of prospects, saddles Saint Augustus and Sunriver.
The field, from the rail out:
PP Horse Jockey Odds
1- Hesanoldsalt Eddie Castro, 20-1
2- Flashy Bull Rafael Bejarano, 4-1
3- Saint Augustus Chris DeCarlo, 12-1
4- Doc Cheney Jeremy Rose, 12-1
5- Sunriver John Velazquez, 6-1
6- Rehobeth Javier Castellano, 20-1
7- Sharp Humor Mark Guidry, 5-1
8- High Blues Cornelio Velasquez, 10-1
9- Charming Image Rajiv Maragh, 20-1
10- Barbaro Edgar Prado, 8-5
11- Sam’s Ace Felipe Martinez, 20-1
posted by Seabiscuit Schmiscuit at 5:49 PM
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