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The Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby was shaping up to be the most intriguing Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands prep of the season anyway. With speedball Flashpoint now involved, it has become a must-watch race for all those handicapping the Triple Crown.
Dazzling Hutcheson winner Flashpoint and four of the top Kentucky Derby contenders are among a field of eight that was drawn for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby. The April 3 event at Gulfstream Park is the feature on a 12-race card with a probable post time of 5:42 p.m. EDT.
Despite drawing the outside post, Peachtree Stable's Flashpoint is expected to be the pacesetter in the Florida Derby after romping to a 7 1/4-length score in the Feb. 26 Hutcheson. Undefeated in two starts this year, Flashpoint (6-1) was also being considered for the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Swale earlier in the afternoon, but the connections opted to test the Pomeroy colt against the heavyweights in his route debut. Cornelio Velasquez will have the mount.
"Mr. (John) Fort and I felt we needed to take a shot," trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said. "We are doing it based on how we have seen this horse run -- how he finished the last time and in his training. We can't say with 100% confidence that he will go two turns. Now is the time to find out.
Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown2011/news/story?id=6278255
Dazzling Hutcheson winner Flashpoint and four of the top Kentucky Derby contenders are among a field of eight that was drawn for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby. The April 3 event at Gulfstream Park is the feature on a 12-race card with a probable post time of 5:42 p.m. EDT.
Despite drawing the outside post, Peachtree Stable's Flashpoint is expected to be the pacesetter in the Florida Derby after romping to a 7 1/4-length score in the Feb. 26 Hutcheson. Undefeated in two starts this year, Flashpoint (6-1) was also being considered for the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Swale earlier in the afternoon, but the connections opted to test the Pomeroy colt against the heavyweights in his route debut. Cornelio Velasquez will have the mount.
"Mr. (John) Fort and I felt we needed to take a shot," trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said. "We are doing it based on how we have seen this horse run -- how he finished the last time and in his training. We can't say with 100% confidence that he will go two turns. Now is the time to find out.
Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown2011/news/story?id=6278255
