Florida Derby starters go through final preps

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Two confirmed and a third possible starter for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby turned in their final preps for the Grade 1 event around the local area on Saturday.

At Gulfstream Park, Holy Bull winner Harvey Wallbanger posted a bullet half-mile in 47.02 under the cover of darkness shortly before 5:30 a.m., with Garter and Tie coming out a couple of hours later to breeze five-eighths in 1:02.22. At Palm Beach Downs, Vekoma also went five furlongs in 1:02.82, after which trainer George Weaver said he remains uncertain whether his horse will run in the Florida Derby or await the Blue Grass at Keeneland the following week.

“The horse worked fine,” said Weaver, who had his wife Cindy aboard for the breeze that went in company. “The track was a little on the dull side, but he came back and wasn’t tired.”

Weaver said there are several factors involved in the decision as to where Vekoma, who finished third in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in his 3-year-old debut, might run next.

“There are several things to consider but at the top of the list is how it appears the fields are shaping up for the two races,” Weaver said. “I like the timing of the Blue Grass a little better, I prefer to have five weeks between his layoff race and the next race. But we want to figure out the best chance for him to earn points to make the Derby field. I was real happy with his performance in the Fountain of Youth. We just have to decide if we want to run back against the same group or take a shot in the Blue Grass.”

Weaver said he would need to find a new rider for Vekoma if he awaits the Blue Grass since his regular jockey, Manny Franco, already has several commitments the same afternoon on Aqueduct’s Wood Memorial card.

Trainer Ralph Nicks said he was pleased with Garter and Tie, who worked without blinkers on Saturday. Garter and Tie has raced with blinkers in all eight previous starts including his sixth-place finish in the Holy Bull.

“The work was good. We wanted a little maintenance five-eighths,” Nicks said. “We gave him a little freshening in between the last two starts and we just wanted to stretch his legs, put some air in him and we’ll see how he handles a mile and eighth.”

Nicks said Garter and Tie will race without blinkers in the Florida Derby.

“His numbers have not been quite as good in his two-turn races as his one-turn races, but he trains like [he’ll get the distance], Nicks said. “We’ll take the blinkers off of him and make a few changes and see how it goes.”