Gulfstream Park: Florida Derby looking like small field

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Despite offering a $1 million purse and 170 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and being one of the most prestigious of all the Kentucky Derby preps, the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29 seems to be lacking interest among horsemen.

With less than two weeks to go before the meet’s marquee event, only four horses – Holy Bull winner Cairo Prince, Fountain of Youth one-two finishers Wildcat Red and General a Rod, and the undefeated Constitution – are confirmed for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby. The sensational Social Inclusion, who set a track record in just his second career start here last week, also remains a possibility, although it’s possible he could be sold in the next few days.

[Clocker Reports: Get Mike Welsch’s clocker reports from Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows]

Other possible starters for the Florida Derby, according to stakes coordinator Kevin Meyocks, include Swale winner Spot, along with Matador, who was a late-running fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby.

Top Billing had been pointing for the Florida Derby prior to suffering a cracked cannon bone two weeks ago during a routine workout at Payson Park.

Cairo Prince will likely be favored to win the Florida Derby despite not having run since his 5 3/4-length triumph over Conquest Titan in the Holy Bull. And trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said waiting the nine weeks between races is the hardest part of the job for him at the moment.

“He’s doing great,” McLaughlin said. “He’s probably doing better than I am waiting all this time. I wish the Florida Derby was yesterday and the Kentucky Derby was next week, he’s doing so well. But he continues to train great, we’re very pleased with him, and I’ll be happy if there’s not going to be a large field, which would at least limit the possibility of a troubled trip in the Florida Derby.”

Cairo Prince, whose original owners sold a majority share of the horse to Godolphin Stable following his easy win in the Holy Bull, will have one more work next weekend at Palm Meadows prior to the Florida Derby.

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

McLaughlin appears to have another top prospect on his hands for Darley in Pazolini, an easy 3 1/4-length maiden winner here Sunday. A son of Bernardini who brought $875,000 as a 2-year-old at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton March sale, Pazolini had made one previous start, finishing seventh last summer at Saratoga.

“He was a very expensive 2-year-old in training we always liked, but he had a breathing issue,” said McLaughlin on Sunday. “He underwent successful throat surgery and it obviously helped. It was a short field today and he was in the clear all the way, which helped. He’s a very nice horse who probably wants to go a little farther.”