HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A total of 23 3-year-olds were nominated for the Grade 1 Florida Derby here on April 1 although the imposing presence of Forte is almost certain to keep the field to a minimum, despite a $1 million purse and the 200 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to be awarded to the first five finishers, when the nine-furlong fixture is drawn Saturday. Forte, the reigning 2-year-old champion, solidified his status atop the division with his dominant 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth when he launched his 3-year-old campaign earlier this month. He was one of three horses Todd Pletcher nominated to the Florida Derby along with Tampa Bay Derby winner Tapit Trice and Classic Catch, but is likely the only one of that trio who will run in the key Kentucky Derby prep. Only three others, Cyclone Mischief, Il Miracolo, and Dubyuhnell, were confirmed as starters as of Monday. The connections of Mage, who finished a promising fourth in the Fountain of Youth in just his second career start, said the Florida Derby is still under consideration. Their other options are the Blue Grass or possibly skipping the Kentucky Derby altogether with an eye on the Preakness as their next major goal. Saffie Joseph Jr., who is battling Pletcher for leading trainer honors here this winter, nominated seven to the Florida Derby but remains up in the air on if any, or how many of those, would be in the entry box on Saturday. “We’re probably going to run something, right now West Coast Cowboy is the most likely one, although a couple of others, perhaps Nautical Star, who we just purchased, and Mr. Ripple are possible depending upon how they look in their next works,” Joseph advised on Monday. Trainer Jorge Delgado said he might consider entering Live Is Life in the Florida Derby “if the field came up short” immediately after his second-place finish in last Saturday’s Hutcheson, although his name was conspicuously absent when nominations were released the following day. :: Get Gulfstream Park Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day. Fountain of Youth runner-up Rocket Can is likely headed to the Arkansas Derby for his final Derby prep. Trainer Tim Yakteen nominated Reincarnate, National Treasure, and Fort Bragg to the Florida Derby although all three are currently penciled in for other Derby preps at this time. Trainer Danny Gargan said the prospect of a short field is the key to keeping last year’s Remsen winner Dubyuhnell in Florida for his final Derby prep. Dubyuhnell finished a distant eighth following a troubled trip as the 2-1 favorite making his 3-year-old debut in the Sam F. Davis last month at Tampa Bay Downs. “Going into the first turn he got into the middle of everything and got completely eliminated,” Gargan said looking back at the Sam Davis. “I had originally planned on running in the Wood. But I think our best option now is to stay here and run against only six or seven horses instead of going into a full field in the Wood. “Forte is the best horse in the country and we’re by no means expecting to beat Forte. But our horse is developing and the goal is for him to run a good race, get him into the Derby, and then see what happens from there. Finishing second would do that. Maybe even being third, with the 10 points he’s already got, would get him in.” Rematch in feature A modest $54,000 allowance test for statebred fillies and mares going six furlongs on the main track tops Wednesday’s abbreviated eight-race program. The headliner drew a field of seven, including To a T, Awesome Annmarie, and Sonicus, who finished second, third, and fourth, respectively, going 6 1/2 furlongs under similar conditions Feb. 17. To a T rallied to be second, beaten a half-length, for the second time in as many starts since returning locally from New York earlier in the meet. To a T lagged well off the early pace, swung about six wide commencing her bid into the stretch, and finished best of all under a vigorous hand ride only to fall short of catching race winner Adios Baby while extending her current winless streak to 11 dating back to last April. Awesome Annmarie slipped inside the leader to stick her head in front a furlong from home before giving way to the top pair at the end while beaten just a neck for second money by To a T. Awesome Annmarie was claimed out of the race for $20,000 by her present connections, who will wheel her right back in the same spot for the same tag on Wednesday. :: Get ready for Gulfstream Park racing with DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports. Sonicus set the pace, then dug in gamely when headed in early stretch to finish just another head behind Awesome Annmarie while making her first start in nearly three months. She may benefit from the race and turnback in distance to six furlongs. Rachel’s Rock is an intriguing new face who will be making her first start since finishing far back going a mile here nine months earlier. Rachel’s Rock was an impressive allowance winner against open allowance company returning from a long layoff when launching her 3-year-old campaign here last spring. Navas wins riding debut Yoel Navas launched his riding career in spectacular fashion when guiding 35-1 Captain Jack to victory in Sunday’s finale for trainer Ian Wilkes. Navas, a 20-year-old native of Guatemala, has worked for Wilkes as an exercise rider the past two years. “He’s worked for me a couple of years, he’s always wanted to be a jock. I brought him along. I thought he was ready to ride,” Wilkes said in the winner’s circle after the race. Captain Jack, who finished far back in his only previous start against tougher company, broke well and raced forwardly placed from the outset. He was fanned wide off the turn but finished with good energy down the center of the track to prove narrowly best. “It’s very important, this race, for me,” Navas said after his memorable victory. “The horse ran very well. Thanks to Ian Wilkes for the opportunity.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.