Fountain of Youth hero Soldat drew the rail once again and should sit a great ground prominent throughout trip in Sunday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee made all the running in his last pair but owns running style versatility and worked behind rivals in a recent company drill. There is other speed in here as well so look for jockey Alan Garcia to bide his time from the inside.
Dialed In figures to attract plenty of support for Nick Zito. The sharp Holy Bull Stakes winner got no pace help in his allowance prep for this but the fractions should be honest this time. The talented late running son of Mineshaft could easily mow them all down if the track is playing fair.
To Honor And Serve attended the pace in the Fountain of Youth but had no response in the lane and finished a well-beaten 3rd. He showed plenty of ability as a juvenile and has every right to spring forward at much better odds. Garrett Gomez hops aboard for Bill Mott.
Uncle Mo’s stablemate Stay Thirsty won the Gotham Stakes in his first start of the year but he showed some immaturity in that spot. He adds blinkers for this and projects a tactical trip under Ramon Dominguez.
Impressive Hutcheson winner Flashpoint is probably the one to catch but he gives away valuable seasoning in this spot. Rick Dutrow’s promising colt easily captured both sprint starts and will take them as far as he can.
Fountain of Youth 4th place finisher Bowman’s Causeway exits a solid 3rd in his flat mile prep for this and can be used in the bottom of some gimmicks.
Arch Traveler won a slow local allowance race on Feb 26 and would have to kick it up a few notches to be competitive in this salty spot.
Shackleford rounds out the field for Dale Romans. He finished 5th in the Fountain of Youth and seems overmatched in the graded ranks.
The nine panel Florida Derby is the 10th race at the Gulf on April 3 with a scheduled post time of 5:42 p.m. Eastern.
