With a performance that moved his trainer Nick Zito to tears, Dialed In moved to the forefront of the Kentucky Derby picture when he rallied from last to a gritty head victory over the 68-1 Shackleford in Sunday’s $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Soldat, the 3-2 favorite, finished a tiring fifth.
Uncle Mo was the favorite when betting into the third and final pool in the 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager ended Sunday, closing as the 3-1 choice to win the 137th Derby on May 7 before the final round of prep races ensue. With $269,354 bet to win, Dialed In took heavy late action to become a solid 5-1 second choice on the strength of his impressive victory Sunday in the Florida Derby, while the 8-1 third choice was the field, the 24th or “all others” option.
Trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta made it back-to-back victories in the Florida Derby when Dialed In, under Julien Leparoux, rallied from last to nip 60-1 pacesetter Shackleford by a short head. It was 6 3/4 lengths back To Honor and Serve in third.
There was one workout from a Santa Anita Derby probable starter on Sunday with Mr. Commons working five furlongs in 1:00.60 for trainer John Shirreffs at Hollywood Park.
The Todd Pletcher/Joyce Robsham juggernaut continued its magical weekend run at Gulfstream Park when Travelin Man cruised to a two-length victory in Sunday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Swale Stakes.
Early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo completed his major preparation for Saturday’s $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct by working four furlongs in 48.20 seconds Sunday morning at the Palm Meadows training center in Florida. The time was the second fastest of 36 at the distance.
Jaycito, second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita last month and one of trainer Bob Baffert’s best hopes for the Kentucky Derby, is likely to make his next start in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby next Saturday, Baffert said.
