Upstart training forwardly for Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Upstart, the likely favorite for the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, breezed six furlongs Friday in 1:13.40 and continues to thrive at the Palm Meadows training center, according to trainer Rick Violette.

“I thought it was a terrific breeze,” said Violette, adding that it came over a bit of a dry, tiring surface and into a headwind. “He blew a little bit after the work, but he needed it. It was a significant work for him.”

Upstart was disqualified from first to second in his most recent start, the Feb. 21 Fountain of Youth, after easily capturing the Jan. 24 Holy Bull Stakes. The New York-bred ridgling has won 3 of 6 career starts and closed at 15-1 in the most recent Kentucky Derby futures pool. The March 28 Florida Derby will be his final prep for the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

“It’s scary and, at the same time, pretty cool how well things are progressing for him,” said Violette. “He seems to be carrying a lot of flesh coming out of a hard race, which is great to see. As a trainer, you’re always looking to tinker with something, and when you don’t have to, it’s an odd sensation.”

Two other highly regarded 3-year-olds being prepped for upcoming starts also were out for serious works Friday at Palm Meadows, about a one-hour drive north of Gulfstream.

Frosted, fourth in the Fountain of Youth last out, went a bullet six furlongs in 1:11.65, while Imperia, fifth as the favorite in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds, went a half-mile in 48.90 seconds. Both colts are Godolphin Racing homebreds trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.

Imperia will make his next start in the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park next Saturday, while Frosted runs in either the Florida Derby or the April 4 Wood Memorial.

◗ As an enticement for horses to run in the Florida Derby and not elsewhere, the owner of any horse who has won a graded stakes or has a previous race at Gulfstream Park will have the $5,000 fee waived for starting and entering in the Florida Derby. In addition, the entry fee for horses who have finished second, third, or fourth in a stakes race is reduced by half to $2,500.

The $1 million Florida Derby, the annual meet centerpiece, is one of eight stakes on the March 28 card.

◗ The 19-1 upset for jockey Andry Blanco aboard Silver Lucky Q in the ninth race Thursday marked his first win in the United States since June 18, 2006, when he won a race at Calder (now Gulfstream Park West). After winning with 23 of 182 mounts in 2006, Blanco went 0 for 29 in 2013 when riding at Calder and Finger Lakes. His triumph aboard Silver Lucky Q came in his eighth mount since he resumed riding here Feb. 22.

Silver Lucky Q is trained by Oscar Miguel Gonzalez, who is becoming someone for bettors to watch. From 23 career starts, Gonzalez, based at Gulfstream, has had six wins for a return on investment of nearly $4.

◗ Tickets remain available for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund event to be held Monday, March 23, at Frank and Dino’s restaurant in Deerfield Beach. For more information, call (954) 427-4909.