Florida Derby among options Zito considering for Spot

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – “I have to find the right spot for Spot.”

So says trainer Nick Zito, who is looking at several options for recent acquisition Spot, a 3-year-old son of Pulpit he purchased privately for owner Joseph Moss prior to his upset victory in the Grade 2 Swale on March 1 at Gulfstream Park. Leading the list of options is the March 29 Florida Derby, a race Zito has won three times with High Fly (2005), Ice Box (2010), and Dialed In (2011).

“Mr. Moss is a gamer and he wants to run somewhere to try to get into the Kentucky Derby,” said Zito. “I can go in the Florida Derby. Obviously we’re home in Florida and I’ve had a lot of success in the race. Or, I can wait a week later and see what the Wood Memorial is like. I know the horses in the Florida Derby are extremely tough, but it looks like it will be a small field and I have as much of a chance of getting into the Kentucky Derby as anybody else in the race. And right now, that’s Mr. Moss’s goal.”

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

The Grade 1 Florida Derby is worth 170 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with 100 going to the winner.

Zito said Spot has done extremely well since rallying to a 2 1/2-length triumph over the odds-on favorite and previously undefeated No Nay Never in the seven-furlong Swale.

“I’ll work him again Saturday at Palm Meadows and then make a decision about the Florida Derby,” said Zito.

Zito would also need a new rider for Spot if he does opt to go in the Florida Derby. Jose Lezcano guided Spot to victory in the Swale but will not be available here on March 29.

“That’s my problem too, because Jose is going to Dubai,” said Zito, referring to the Dubai World Cup card. “You say there are so many great jockeys in Florida but the way he rode the horse, the way he fit him, that’s another thing we have to consider.”

Ron Sanchez, who owns 3-year-old sensation Social Inclusion, will wait until his horse works again Saturday before making a final decision on whether to keep him here for the Florida Derby or head to New York for the Wood. Social Inclusion, who is trained by Manny Azpurua, set a course record en route to his 10-length victory over leading Kentucky Derby contender Honor Code going 1 1/16 miles under allowance conditions here last week.

“At the moment, I want to go to the Wood and Manny wants to stay here,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez also said he has entertained several lucrative offers for Social Inclusion since his victory over Honor Code but does not expect to make any deal to sell all or a portion of Social Inclusion until after his next start.

Cairo Prince is the likely favorite for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby. The field is also expected to include Wildcat Red, General a Rod, Constitution, and Matador, who will race in blinkers for the first time, trainer Mark Casse confirmed on Wednesday.