At least eight expected for Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The way racetracks now operate, an event as big as the $1 million Florida Derby on March 28 requires it to be the centerpiece of a multiple-stakes day.

True to form, seven other stakes – all but one of them graded – will be on the undercard of the Grade 1 Florida Derby on a blockbuster 14-race program next Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

As of Friday morning, Gulfstream racing officials were expecting 8 to 10 3-year-olds for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, with Upstart and the Todd Pletcher duo of Itsaknockout and Materiality as favorites in a lineup that also is expected to include Dekabrist, Felifran, Indianaughty, My Point Exactly, and Quimet. Ami’s Flatter and Eh Cumpari also might run.

Entries for the Florida Derby will be drawn Tuesday at about 5 p.m. Eastern in the track’s walking ring, while the remainder of the card will be drawn Wednesday. First post on Florida Derby Day is noon.

According to Gulfstream stakes coordinator Mike Costanzo, these are some of the bigger names likely for the supporting stakes:

◗ Grade 2, $300,000 Honey Fox (fillies and mares at a mile on turf): Coffee Clique, Hard Not to Like, Istanford, Overheard, Sandiva (27 nominations).

◗ Grade 2, $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles): Birdatthewire, Ekati’s Phaeton, Eskenformoney (22 nominations).

◗ Grade 3, $150,000 Orchid (fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on turf): Beauty Parlor, Kitten’s Point, Photo Call, Riposte, Tabreed, White Rose (16 nominations).

◗ Grade 3, $150,000 Pan American (older horses at 1 1/2 miles on turf): Twilight Eclipse, Glenard, Lochte, and probably either of the Chad Brown duo of Big Blue Kitten and Slumber (31 nominations).

◗ Grade 3, $150,000 Appleton (older horses at a mile on turf): Aripeka, Grand Tito, Long On Value, War Correspondent (26 nominations).

◗ Grade 3, $150,000 Skip Away (older horses at 1 3/16 miles): East Hall, Sr. Quisqueyano, Transparent, and either of the Todd Pletcher duo of Commissioner and Red Rifle (18 nominations).

◗ $100,000 Sir Shackleton (older horses at seven furlongs): Pants On Fire, Grande Shores, Confrontation (17 nominations).