Gulfstream Park: Cairo Prince breezes towards Florida Derby

Cairo Prince had his second work since winning the Holy Bull last month when he went a half-mile in 49.90 seconds at Palm Meadows on Saturday.

Cairo Prince is awaiting next month’s Florida Derby. His trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin, said he believed Cairo Prince put forth a big effort in the Holy Bull, and wanted to give him plenty of time until his next start.

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

Conquest Titan, who was second in the Holy Bull, also worked a half-mile at Palm Meadows. He was timed in 48.30 seconds. Trainer Mark Casse said Conquest Titan needed more time to recover after the Holy Bull than first anticipated, and so he, too, was kept out of the Fountain of Youth to point to the Florida Derby.

The Florida Derby is worth 100 points to the winner, 50 for second, under the system now used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the May 3 Kentucky Derby should more than the maximum 20 horses enter. It is expected that 50 points will be more than enough to make the field.