Gulfstream: Reveron picks up Trujillo for Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Reveron already has one derby victory on his r é sum é . A Calder-based 3-year-old prospect, Reveron will try for a second derby win here at Gulfstream Park next weekend as one of the outsiders in the $1 million Florida Derby.

Reveron, a son of Songandaprayer, launched his 3-year-old campaign with a game half-length decision over Casual Trick in the inaugural Gulfstream Park Derby. He has made just one start since, finishing a wide-running third after taking the lead in early stretch of Grade 3 Sam Davis at Tampa Bay Downs.

Reveron was expected to wheel back in the Tampa Bay Derby but trainer Agustin Bezara decided to pass that race to await the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

“I didn’t like our first experience at Tampa, which is why we didn’t go back a second time,” said Bezara, who does not speak English, through an interpreter. “The trip was stressful for him and he did not seem comfortable over that track. He came back a little muscle sore.”

Reveron, who has not finished worse than third in six career starts, will need to finish first or second in the Florida Derby to earn enough graded money to make the Kentucky Derby field. He has worked just twice since the Sam Davis on Feb. 4, posting a pair of five-furlong drills at Calder on March 2 and March 10. He was scheduled to have his final Florida Derby prep at Calder on Saturday.

Bezara said that Elvis Trujillo will be aboard Reveron for the first time in the Florida Derby.

A field of seven 3-year-olds remains confirmed for the Florida Derby. Along with Reveron, the lineup will also include Union Rags, El Padrino, Take Charge Indy, Neck n Neck, News Pending, and Fort Loudon.

Trainer Dale Romans said Friday that Rajiv Maragh would replace Kent Desormeaux, who rides in Japan next weekend, aboard News Pending in the Florida Derby.