Two of the most important Kentucky Derby prep races of the year happen on Saturday when Gulfstream Park runs the Grade 1 Florida Derby and top three-year-olds enter the starting gate at Oaklawn Park for the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
Gulfstream Park | Saturday, April 2
Grade 3 Orchid Stakes
1 ½ miles turf – 4 year old fillies and mares
Graham Motion trained Harajuku should attract plenty of action. A couple of other runners that should attract action are Champagne Ivey from the Saffie Joseph Jr. barn, and Cristophe Clement trained Beautiful Lover. Scarabea, Lovely Lucky, and Family Way should also run.
Grade 2 Pan American Stakes
1 ½ miles turf – 4 year olds and up
Todd Pletcher saddles Abaan, a winner of 3 straight before finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida in the gelding’s last. The horse that won the Mac Diarmida, Temple, will also run in the Pan American. So will Shug McGaughey trained Baker’s Bay, Novo Sol from the Saffie Joseph Jr. barn, and Cristophe Clement trained and likely chalk Gufo.
Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks
1 1/6 miles dirt – 3 year old fillies
So far, only three horses are confirmed for the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. Todd Pletcher trained Goddess of Fire finished second behind Turnerloose in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra in her last. Jonathan Thomas will put the saddle on last out maiden winner Catiche, and undefeated and Grade 2 Davona Dale winner Kathleen O. will go for trainer Shug McGaughey.
Grade 1 Florida Derby
1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds
At least ten 3 year olds will run in this year’s Florida Derby. No doubt, Saffie Joseph trained White Abbario will attract the most action. The Grade 3 Holy Bull winner is superfast. Simplification won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes in his last. Expect the Antonio Sano equine to also attract betting dollars. Charge It, trained by Todd Pletcher, Shipsational, Tamp Bay Derby winner Classic Causeway, and Pappacap may also enter the starting gate.
Oaklawn Park | Saturday, April 2
Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes
1 1/6 miles dirt – 3 year old fillies
Bob Baffert will put the saddle on likely Fantasy Stakes favorite Eda. The Munnings sired miss has won four straight, including the Grade 1 Starlet and the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel in her last. Brad Cox trained Bubble Rock heads into this after winning the Cincinnati Trophy. Cox has another contender in Mariah’s Fortune. Yuugiri and Dream Lith will be looking for bounce back efforts.
Grade 1 Arkansas Derby
1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds
There is no stand out entered to run in this year’s Arkansas Derby. Kavod, Chasing Time, Barber Road, Un Ojo, D. Wayne Lukas trained Secret Oath, Ben Diesel, Cyberknife from the Brad Cox barn, and We the People all have a shot.
The most interesting is Doppelganger. The Into Mischief sired runner used to go for Bob Baffert. Now trained by Tim Yakteen, Doppelganger has a lot of talent. So if Yakteen can get him to run his best, Doppelganger can win the Arkansas Derby.