Gulfstream Park: Social Inclusion to skip Florida Derby for Wood Memorial

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Owner Ron Sanchez said the April 5 Wood Memorial – not the Florida Derby on Saturday – will be next for Social Inclusion shortly after the undefeated 3-year-old worked a half-mile from the three-eighths pole in 49.11 seconds Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park.

With jockey Jose Contreras aboard, Social Inclusion went his opening three furlongs to the wire in 36.36 before continuing on willingly without being asked into the clubhouse turn. He galloped out five-eighths in 1:03.37.

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

“We’re going to the Wood,” said Sanchez, who races under the nom de course of Rontos Racing Stable Corp. “The horse worked very well this morning, he was just galloping so easy. We think it’s better for the horse to give him the extra time and wait for the Wood rather than bring him back next Saturday in the Florida Derby.”

Racing on Lasix for the first time, Social Inclusion cruised to a 10-length victory over Honor Code going 1 1/16 miles under allowance conditions here on March 12. A son of Pioneerof the Nile, Social Inclusion earned a 111 Beyer Speed Figure, the fastest for any 3-year-old this season.

“He’ll work back two more times before he leaves for New York,” said Sanchez. “Wednesday, three furlongs, a little bit harder than today, with the final breeze on Saturday. He’ll ship to New York on Sunday.”

Sanchez also said he has two deals pending to purchase a 75 percent share of Social Inclusion and there is a “good chance” the sale could be completed before the Wood.

Social Inclusion worked just minutes before both Honor Code and Fountain of Youth winner Wildcat Red breezed over a racetrack that got very quick due to showers that fell immediately after the renovation break.

Honor Code, working alone and about four paths off the rail, went a very easy half-mile in 48.12 before galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.60.

Honor Code will likely be given the opportunity to avenge his recent setback at the hands of Social Inclusion, as he, too, will have his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Wood.

“I thought he went fine,” said trainer Shug McGaughey “I think he’s going in the right direction. We’ll just have to see how he comes out of this, and if he keeps going this way I’ll have to make up my mind if I want to continue.”

Wildcat Red was in the midst of his usual one-mile gallop prior to breaking off to work when the siren went off indicating a loose horse on the track. Wildcat Red eventually eased into his breeze at the three-eighths pole and went an easy three furlongs in 35.49, with the final quarter in 22.73, before galloping out a half-mile in 48.81.

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

“I got a little nervous when the siren went off and my horse was on the track,” said trainer Jose Garoffalo. “Other than that, he did what we were expecting him to. And he did it very easily. I was particularly impressed with the last eighth of a mile, he did it in 10 and 3, 10 and 4. Now we just have to sit and wait. The one advantage I have over the others is not having the pressure to get the points for the Kentucky Derby. We’re already in.”