Majesto joins party for Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Add Majesto to what is currently a very short list of 3-year-olds who will tackle division leaders Mohaymen and Nyquist a week from Saturday in the $1 million Florida Derby.

Majesto, a son of Tiznow, won his maiden going 1 1/16 miles on the Fountain of Youth card Feb. 27, earning a career-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure. The win came in his fifth start. Majesto, owned by the Grupo 7C Racing Stable, began his career last fall at Belmont Park, finishing third behind recent Tampa Bay Derby winner Destin.

“We had considered running him in the Louisiana Derby, but he’s a bit problematic, and we felt it would be in his best interests not to ship him when we could run him right here instead the following week,” said trainer Gustavo Delgado. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a big field, and this horse is doing very well right now. I’m not saying we can beat the two favorites, but I feel we could get third, and if he does and it gave us enough points to get into the Kentucky Derby, we would go. That’s the idea.”

Delgado said he felt the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Grade 1 Florida Derby would be in his favor.

“Everything seems to be coming together with this horse right now,” said Delgado. “He’s just starting to find his stride, and I really think a race like the Belmont Stakes will ultimately be his best race down the road.”

Delgado said either John Velazquez or Javier Castellano would have the mount in the Florida Derby. Velazquez has ridden Majesto twice, and Castellano guided him to his maiden win.

Delgado will be busy on Florida Derby Day. Aside from Majesto, he plans to run his top 3-year-old filly, Paola Queen, in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks and Grand Tito in the Grade 2 Pan American that afternoon. Paola Queen is coming off a maiden win going seven furlongs, while Grand Tito exits a victory in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida on March 5, when stretching out to 1 3/8 miles for the first time. The Pan American will be decided at 1 1/2 miles.

Another 3-year-old who could join the Florida Derby lineup is Takeittotheedge, a son of Broken Vow who won his debut by nearly eight lengths here March 5 while earning an 88 Beyer.

“If the race comes up a short field and I felt we could use his speed and take a shot, I might do it,” trainer Dale Romans said on Sunday, moments before embarking on the long journey to Dubai, where he’ll run Keen Ice in Saturday’s World Cup.

The only other confirmed starter for the Florida Derby is Fellowship, who has already finished third behind Mohaymen in both the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth stakes. P.J. Campo, vice president of racing for Gulfstream Park owner The Stronach Group, said he’s in discussions with several trainers, hoping to assemble a field of seven or eight 3-year-olds for the Florida Derby, which offers 170 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The Florida Derby will be drawn along with the rest of the April 2 card next Wednesday.