Hidden Scroll, Bourbon War drill for Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Hidden Scroll and Bourbon War, quite possibly the two favorites for the 68th Florida Derby, both had their final prerace breeze Friday in preparation for the long-standing Gulfstream Park showcase.

Bourbon War went a half-mile in 49.80 seconds at Gulfstream Park, and Hidden Scroll went five furlongs in 1:02.40 in company at Payson Park. They’re among a prospective lineup of at least seven 3-year-olds set to clash in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby, the most important of seven stakes here next Saturday.

Bourbon War, a fast-closing second in the March 2 Fountain of Youth, went solo in his work, partially accounting for a clocking that trainer Mark Hennig conceded “was probably a little slower than what I wanted.”

“But that’s okay,” he said. “He galloped out great and came back good. All’s well. He’s a smart horse, and he knows the difference between the morning and afternoon. If I want to work him faster at some point in the future, I’ll probably have to put him in company.”

The Fountain of Youth shapes up as an obvious key race toward the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, with five of the first six finishers returning. They are Code of Honor (first), Bourbon War (second), Vekoma (third), Hidden Scroll (fourth), and Union’s Destiny (sixth). Hidden Scroll, who faded after setting a fast pace as the 6-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, will have a new rider in Javier Castellano.

Other confirmed starters are Harvey Wallbanger and Maximum Security, while a few stragglers such as Come On Gerry, Garter and Tie, and maybe another one or two are under consideration. The Florida Derby offers 170 qualifying points (100-40-20-10) toward the 145th Kentucky Derby on May 4.

“We’re like some of the other top prospects looking ahead,” said Hennig. “We’d love to have the horse move forward, pick up some points, and move along.”

Hoffa’s Union, formerly a Florida Derby prospect, now will make his next start in the April 6 Blue Grass at Keeneland, said trainer Mark Casse.

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A Gulfstream spokesman said Hidden Scroll likely will be listed as a slight program favorite after Saturday entries are drawn Wednesday, followed closely by Code of Honor and Bourbon War. Code of Honor is scheduled to have his final prerace work Monday at Payson for trainer Shug McGaughey.

The Florida Derby and the other six Saturday stakes will be preceded by four stakes on Friday, marking the first time Gulfstream has split up the races in such a way.

Probably the most notable supporting event is the Grade 2, $250,000 Gulfstream Oaks on Saturday, even though it will be missing the reigning divisional champion, Jaywalk, who goes instead in the April 6 Ashland at Keeneland. Top contenders for the Gulfstream Oaks, a 1 1/16-mile points qualifier toward the Kentucky Oaks, are Point of Honor and the 1-2-3 finishers from the Davona Dale – Jeltrin, Cookie Dough, and Champagne Anyone.

Two other Grade 2 races are on the Saturday undercard – the $300,000 Gulfstream Mile, for which Todd Pletcher has the likely favorite in Prince Lucky, and the $250,000 Pan American, a 1 1/2-mile turf race that figures to get a field of eight or nine, including Bigger Picture and possibly Focus Group.

The balance of the Saturday stakes are a trio of one-mile turf races – the $100,000 Sand Springs for fillies and mares, the $125,000 Sanibel Island for 3-year-old fillies, and the $125,000 Cutler Bay for 3-year-olds.

The Friday stakes are the Grade 3, $100,000 Orchid, for fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles on turf; the Grade 3, $100,000 Appleton, for older horses at a mile on turf; the $100,000 Skip Away, a 1 3/16-mile race featuring the return of Mexican superstar Kukulkan; and the $75,000 Sir Shackleton, a six-furlong race in which Firenze Fire will be heavily favored for trainer Jason Servis.