Flashy score earns Prevalence a Kentucky Derby prep race start

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Prevalence, the exciting Godolphin homebred on the fast track to the 147th Kentucky Derby, passed another preliminary test en route to joining the Derby trail by easily winning a first-level allowance Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Prevalence never had a straw in his path in winning the one-mile race by three lengths in 1:35.82 over a fast track. He returned $2.20 as the prohibitive favorite in a field of six 3-year-olds.

About 50 yards from the wire, with victory safely in hand, Gaffalione gave the colt one sharp smack with a left-handed whip before riding him out an extra sixteenth-mile or so beyond the wire.

“He’s a very nice horse,” said Gaffalione. “He definitely took the next step forward today. I was very pleased with him. I made sure he galloped out very strong today. He responded to everything I asked of him. He’s very professional for being this young.”

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Trainer Brendan Walsh said one of the final Derby qualifiers will be next for Prevalence, a Godolphin homebred colt by Medaglia d’Oro.

“Possibly the Arkansas Derby, or the Wood maybe,” said Walsh.

Prevalence had become something of a sensation in winning his career debut, a seven-furlong maiden race here Jan. 23. He had been pointed to his second start in late February but missed about a week of training, forcing Walsh to wait for this race.

“We appreciate Gulfstream getting this race to go,” said Walsh. “It was very important for us to get this race for him. Him missing the last race wasn’t that big of a deal except for the timing; it came at a vital time when he missed a work he would’ve needed. I’m very happy with how things went today.”

Southern Passage rallied late to finish second at 32-1 behind Prevalence, with Tio Magico, who led most of the way, fading to third, another length back.

Prevalence was included this week in Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch Top 20 and closed at 29-1 last weekend in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Godolphin already has the undefeated Essential Quality, the reigning divisional champion, pointing to the April 3 Blue Grass at Keeneland. Godophin also has Proxy, who runs next in the March 20 Louisiana Derby, in the DRF Derby Watch Top 20.

The Wood Memorial will be run April 3 at Aqueduct, with the Arkansas Derby following a week later. Like the Blue Grass, both are worth 100-40-20-10 qualifying points toward the May 1 Kentucky Derby. A win or a runner-up finish likely would earn the colt a starting berth.