Florida Derby looking like Upstart vs. Pletcher pair

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park racing officials are hoping to get a sizable field for the March 28 Florida Derby, although it looks like Upstart and two Todd Pletcher horses will tower over an otherwise undistinguished group of 3-year-olds.

Gulfstream vice president of racing P.J. Campo said he is looking for at least eight horses, and “hopefully a couple more,” to run in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby, which helps kick off the final round of Kentucky Derby preps worth 100 eligibility points to the winner.

Upstart, the dominant 3-year-old here this winter, figures as a solid favorite in the 64th running of the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, while Pletcher has not confirmed which horses will represent his powerhouse stable, although he has said that Itsaknockout and Materiality are the most likely.

Upstart, based at Palm Meadows with trainer Rick Violette, was sent through his major work for the Florida Derby last Saturday when going six furlongs in 1:13.40. He is scheduled to have a final maintenance breeze this weekend.

Itsaknockout and Materiality are both unbeaten, although Itsaknockout needed the disqualification of Upstart from first in the Feb. 21 Fountain of Youth Stakes to move his record to 3 for 3. Materiality is 2 for 2 after getting a 104 Beyer Speed Figure in winning an overnight stakes here March 6.

The other Florida Derby probables are Dekabrist, Indianaughty, Juan and Bina, My Point Exactly, and Quimet.

Entries for all Florida Derby Day races will be drawn next Wednesday, March 25. As usual, it will be a huge program, with 14 races, including seven other stakes, and a noon Eastern first post.

The Florida Derby is one of three major Kentucky Derby preps set for March 28, along with the UAE Derby and Louisiana Derby.

◗ Alan Garcia, who has been riding in Saudi Arabia in recent months, made a triumphant return to the United States when he rode My Dear Regina to victory in the first race here Tuesday. It was the first mount back for Garcia, a 29-year-old Peru native who said he intends to ride regularly at the Woodbine meet that begins April 11.

My Dear Regina, incidentally, gave trainer Eduardo Caramori his first win of the championship meet. Caramori had been 0 for 32 before then.

◗ A pair of Grade 2, $200,000 main-track stakes for fillies and mares highlights Saturday’s card, with the Inside Information being run at seven furlongs and the Royal Delta at 1 1/16 miles. Entries were to be drawn Wednesday.