HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Trainer Brian Lynch said that he wanted to sleep on the decision one more night but in all likelihood plans to call an audible that would re-direct Tampa Bay Derby winner Classic Causeway to the $1 million Florida Derby next Saturday at Gulfstream Park rather than to the Blue Grass at Keeneland the following week as originally intended. Lynch made that statement shortly after Classic Causeway worked a near-bullet half-mile, clocked by Daily Racing Form in 46.80, at Palm Meadows on Saturday morning. The work was the first for the homebred son of Giant’s Causeway since his wire-to-wire, 2 1/2-length victory over Grantham in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 12. “There are a combination of reasons that would make me lean towards running him in the Florida Derby rather than the Blue Grass,” Lynch said. “First of all, he came out of his last race so well. His work this morning showed us that. And logistically, it seems like the right thing to do. The race is right down the road rather than having to send him to Kentucky, where there are some concerns regarding the weather at this time of year which could cause us to possibly miss some training. He’s had a good winter in Florida, so we might as well play out the string down here right to the end.” Lynch also confirmed that he will be able to secure the services of jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who has ridden Classic Causeway to victory in both the Tampa Bay Derby and Grade 3 Sam F. Davis, if he re-routes his Kentucky Derby prospect to the Florida Derby. :: Want to start playing with a $510 bankroll and have access to free Formulator? Learn more Classic Causeway is one of seven 3-year-olds expected to be entered in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby if Lynch does confirm that decision on Sunday. He would join Holy Bull winner White Abarrio, Fountain of Youth winner Simplification, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Pappacap, Shipsational, Steal Sunshine, and O Captain on a list of those currently pointing to the prestigious Kentucky Derby prep. Among those also under consideration for the race, which will be drawn at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, are Cajun’s Magic, Clapton, Skippylongstocking, and Strike Hard, according to the local racing office. Simplification turned in his final work for the Florida Derby minutes after the renovation break here Saturday, going an easy five furlongs in 59.91 before again galloping out with plenty of energy, getting six furlongs in 1:13.53 before easing up a mile in 1:41.39. Jockey Leonel Reyes was aboard Simplification for the work, deputizing for regular rider Jose Ortiz, who was in Dubai on Saturday. Other Florida Derby candidates to work Saturday included Shipsational, five furlongs in 1:02 at Tampa Bay Downs; Steal Sunshine, five furlongs in 1:00.75, out three-quarters in 1:13.93 from the gate at Gulfstream Park; Charge It four furlongs in 48.30, out 1:00.92 in company with Fearless at Palm Beach Downs; and Skippylongstocking, three-eighths in 35 seconds at Palm Meadows.