Trainer Patrick Biancone said Monday that his Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Sole Volante is still on target for the $750,000 Arkansas Derby on May 2 at Oaklawn Park. Sole Volante, winner of the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa earlier this winter, has had just one work since the Tampa Derby, an easy half-mile in 50 seconds on March 15 at Palm Meadows.
Tiz the Law crushed the Florida Derby by more than four lengths, an effort that in a normal year would make him one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby. This year is anything but normal.
Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby: Florida Derby analyis
As a final Kentucky Derby prep, Tiz the Law’s 4 1/4 length triumph in Saturday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby would have been about as good as it gets under normal circumstances.
The three tracks that host the Triple Crown have agreed to postpone the late nomination period for those races, which would have closed Monday, owing to the postponement of the Kentucky Derby because of the coronavirus pandemic and its potential impact on the Preakness and Belmont Stake.
Tiz the Law further entrenched himself as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby when posting a convincing victory Saturday in the 69th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Kiaran McLaughlin will officially become the jockey agent for Luis Saez on Monday. When exactly his training career ends is not quite certain.
Taishan, who was an impressive winner on the Rebel Stakes undercard earlier this month at Oaklawn Park, is being pointed for the Grade 1, $750,000 Arkansas Derby, according to trainer Richard Baltas.
Chance It, considered a leading Kentucky Derby candidate prior to his disappointing performance in the Tampa Bay Derby, will spend the next two months on his owner's farm in Ocala, Fla., trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed Friday.
Weekend GamePlan for March 28, 2020: Picks for Florida Derby, Sand Springs Stakes, Sanibel Island Stakes.
