Florida Derby's top trio all heading to Kentucky Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - As expected, the first three finishers from Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby - Always Dreaming, State of Honor, and Gunnevera - will all be heading to Churchill Downs, where they will meet again on May 6 in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Todd Pletcher reported Sunday morning that all was well with Always Dreaming following his impressive five-length victory in the Florida Derby, for which he received a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure. The win was the third in as many starts for Always Dreaming since being transferred to Pletcher’s barn prior to the start of his 3-year-old campaign.

“I think it was a good race yesterday. It was a fast race,” said Pletcher. “The track was fast, but no matter how you look at it, it was a fast race.”

Always Dreaming’s final time of 1:47.47 for 1 1/8 miles was the fastest in the Florida Derby since Alydar covered the distance in 1:47 in 1978.

“Because of his two easy races he needed a good race, but I don’t think it was one that wouldn’t allow him to come forward again in five weeks,” said Pletcher.

Always Dreaming vanned back to his winter home at Palm Beach Downs on Sunday morning. He will have either two or three breezes leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the final two, in all likelihood, at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Mark Casse said after discussing it with the owners on Saturday night that it’s full steam ahead for the Kentucky Derby with State of Honors, who has run extremely well in all four starts at 3 without a victory to show for his efforts. His second-place finish on Saturday came on the heels of a second in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, third in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis, and second in the Mucho Macho Man. Three of those four races were won by Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds.

“He’s going to the Derby and we’re excited for him,” said Casse. “He’s a very consistent horse and deserves a shot.”

State of Honor was a little rank during the early running of the Florida Derby in behind pacesetter Three Rules despite racing without the blinkers he wore in his previous two outings at Tampa Bay Downs.

“He definitely was a little tough to handle into the first turn, but I thought he relaxed pretty good down the backside,” said Casse. “He looked a little timid trying to go through the inside of Three Rules in early stretch, enough to bother him.”

Casse may be looking for another rider for State of Honor in the Derby since Leparoux is also the regular jockey for stablemate Classic Empire. State of Honor is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs later this week.

Trainer Antonio Sano said Gunnevera was also doing well on Sunday following his somewhat disappointing third-place finish as the even-money favorite in the Florida Derby. Gunnevera broke last from the extreme outside post under jockey Javier Castellano and dropped more than a dozen lengths off the early leaders before rallying belatedly to finish 6 1/2 lengths behind Always Dreaming.

“I’m very happy with my horse,” said Sano. “Considering everything, it was a good race for him. It’s disappointing he did not win, but the most important thing is that he came out of the race very well.”

Sano said Gunnevera would likely work twice at Gulfstream Park West, the second a strong move on the weekend of April 22, after which he will ship to Churchill Downs, where he will have one “easy breeze” prior to the Derby.

Trainer Dale Romans said he was pleased with Impressive Edge’s fourth-place finish in the Florida Derby in his first start beyond seven furlongs.

“I’m proud of him, he ran a big race first time going two turns,” said Romans. “He’s a tough horse to figure. Maybe the Preakness will fit him well.”

- additional reporting by David Grening