Strike Power, Tip Sheet drill for Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A busy weekend for prospective Florida Derby starters began Friday morning at Gulfstream Park, where Fountain of Youth runner-up Strike Power and Tip Sheet turned in their final major preps for the meet’s marquee event next Saturday. Promises Fulfilled and stablemate Storm Runner were expected to breeze here Saturday, with Catholic Boy penciled in for his lone local work Sunday.

Holy Bull winner and likely Florida Derby favorite Audible was scheduled to have his final work at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday.

Temperatures were unseasonably cool in the mid-50s with a brisk wind blowing out of the north and down the stretch when Strike Power breezed an easy half-mile with stablemate Mathematician shortly after the first renovation break. Strike Power, working nearest the rail, completed the distance in 47.87 seconds, readily pulling away from his overmatched partner at the end before galloping out solo, five furlongs in 1:00.52.

“The main thing today was to make sure he was doing enough the first part of the work because he’s the kind of horse who can turn on and off,” said trainer Mark Hennig. “That’s why I put him in company and down on the inside – I wanted him to know he was breezing early enough in the work. And I could see going to the pole he was plenty sharp. All our preparations have gone as planned. The horse is doing well. I just hope they are the right plans.”

Tip Sheet got his work done before dawn, going an even easier half-mile in 49.80 with jockey Edgard Zayas aboard. Tip Sheet will be a decided outsider in the Florida Derby after finishing sixth, 20 lengths behind Audible, in the Holy Bull.

“It was what I was expecting,” said trainer Stanley Gold. “You have to ask him all the way to get a quick work. We just want to keep him fit.”

Entries for the Florida Derby will be drawn at a special ceremony at Frankey’s Sports Bar located adjacent to the walking ring at approximately 11:30 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday.

◗ Nick Fernicola, a former jockey and trainer who made South Florida his regular base with the opening of Calder Race Course in 1971, died earlier this month after a long illness. He was 82.