Florida Derby Redux

If something is worth doing, it’s worth it to review the effort against the results. The DRF’s result is at the bottom.

I picked Dialed In and Flashpoint as likely winners. Dialed In finished first by a head over Shackleford. To Honor and Serve finished third and Flashpoint was fourth. The rest in order: Soldat, Arch Traveler, Stay Thirsty and Bowman’s Causeway.

Shackleford surprised the hell out of everyone. It was a bravura performance. You may watch the video here, courtesy of The Bloodhorse. Scroll down to the ‘racing’ section. As I watch the replay, it’s remarkable that Dialed In is basically not in the picture until the far turn (he was that far out). Another matter of note: Shackleford, To Honor and Serve, and Flashpoint remained in situ from the first eighth of a mile throughout the rest of the race. I’m guessing that Dutrow told C. Velasquez to not gun Flashpoint in the early phases of the race (or maybe Flashpoint didn’t have his “a” game yesterday. Another possibility is that Dutrow wanted him to get dirt in his face and relax. Dialed In came and got them in the last 3/8 of the race, circling the field with no traffic problem that I could see. He won’t have that luxury on May 7. Mine That Bird did it on the inside (courtesy C. Borel) and Super Saver did it last year (courtesy C. Borel). The aforementioned C. Borel is currently riding Elite Alex (one of my faves); next start is the Arkansas Derby, which, if he doesn’t do well (as in ‘win’), he probably will not go further and C. Borel will be available.

I think Shackleford may have acquired sufficent earnings yesterday to make it into the gate. The earnings list hasn’t been updated yet. It’s here.

The Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby are April 9. The Arkansas Derby is April 16. Things (barring injury) should be reasonably well sorted after these three races, at least in my fevered brain.

I’m of two minds regarding the 13.4 seconds for the last 1/8 of the Florida Derby. It’s not a disreputable time; they were going well for the first mile, but it’s significantly slower than you would like. The 3/4 to 1 mile was 26.1, so they were slowing down pretty far back (which is why Dialed In’s move looks so explosive). I’m not a fan of track bias. Times for the rest of the races on the card were respectable.  Little Mike’s 1:32+ for a mile on the turf was pretty great. These are 3-year-olds. They’re being raced in to shape to go 1-1/14 mile. I’m not sure the time matters.

Stay Thirsty wore blinkers for the first time. It would seem that it did not go as planned. It will be interesting to see if he wears them in his next race (as yet unannounced). Soldat simply didn’t fire. Haven’t seen any remarks from his camp, other than ‘no excuses’.

Have to give props to DRF.com for streaming the entire card from Gulfstream yesterday. It was stellar! I have thoughts (best kept to myself) on the trackfeed commentary.

Florida Derby

1 1/8 Miles | 3 Year Olds | STAKES ( $0 ) | Open

#	HORSE	JOCKEY	WIN	PLACE	SHOW
7	Dialed In	J. Leparoux	$7.80	$4.80	$4.00
5	Shackleford	J. Castanon		$36.60	$15.20
2	To Honor and Serve	G. Gomez			$4.20

Times in 5ths: :23¹ :46¹ 1:10³ 1:36¹ 1:50

Times in 100ths: :23.30  :46.35  1:10.63  1:36.38    1:50.07

Winning Trainer: Zito Nicholas | Owner: LaPenta Robert

Unplaced horses listed in order of finish.

Also ran: Flashpoint, Soldat, Arch Traveler, Stay Thirsty and Bowman’s Causeway

$2 Exacta (7-5) Paid: $339.60, $1 Trifecta (7-5-2) Paid: $710.80, $1 Superfecta (7-5-2-8) Paid: $3,650.60, $2 Daily Double (10-7) Paid: $45.40 Daily Double Pool $154,051.00 , $1 Pick 3 (1-10-7) 3 Correct Paid: $71.00 Pick 3 Pool $185,495.00