The Road To The Derby, Goes Through Florida

The field has been set for this weekends $1 million Grade 1 Florida Derby and early morning line favorite Upstart has drawn the 9 hole in what appear to be a very good spot for this young colts drive to the 2015 Kentucky Derby

Upstart began the 2015 season with a huge win in the grade 2 Holy Bull stakes and tried to parlay that win a few weeks later in the Garde 2 Fountain of youth and appears to have that feat conquered before the stewards declared that he interfered with the runner- up “Its a knockout” and was placed back.

This Saturday Upstart will face 8 other rivals who will all travel 1/18 miles over the Gulfstream Park main course. Like a game of hoops [points] are a must this coming weekend as all 8 horses are looking for a win and those all important 100 points that may or may not secure them a position come the first Saturday of May for the run to the roses.

Looking at the field of 9 from the rail out.

(1) Ami’s Flatter- (8/1) This colts best effort came a few weeks back in the Tampa Bay Derby where he closed like a freight train to grab a second place finish.For those who are familiar with Ontario racing,local trainer Josie Carroll sends this one post-ward and don’t dismiss this one as a possible upset play this weekend.

(2) Jack Tripp-(20/1) They name along reminds me of the TV show Three’s Company with ‘Jack Tripper”. This horse seems to be like a seat filler at the Oscars with only a main victory to his credit and that came at Keenland in late October of 2104.Hard to recommend this one even to a $2 bettor. PASS

(3) Indiannaughty-(20/1) Back on home soil in early Jan of 2015 and scored a victory in an allowance race over the turf course at Gulfstream Park.This colts last star was not as impressive as the bounce factor took over and after showing a burst of speed in the El Camino Real Debry he backed up as if he hit a brick wall. This weekend will be his first start over a dirty course and I will put the breaks on this one and look elsewhere for a possible upset play. Not Today!

(4) Itsaknockout-(2/1). You have to consider this one at all cost to cash a win ticket this weekend and to make a legit run at the roses in early May.Off a win in the Fountain of Youth after being placed by the stewards in that win spot he did sow that he was a horse to be considered with only 3 lifetime starts to his belt.This son of Lemon Drop Kid is still undefeated and will make a bid to keep that streak alive this coming weekend. Watch the tote board this could be your post time favorite. Considered a top 1-2 contender here.

(5) Quimet-(20/1). Nick Zito trained and you know Nick always has one ready to pull off a shocker. Is this the horse that will do that on Saturday? With only 1 win in 5 starts I don’t see this horse being much of a factor so let’s skip over him on this day. PASS

(6) My Point Exactly-(30/1) Great catch phrase that I use on my wife 80% of the time.A Florida bred and winner of 2 races but his last win come way back in Sept of 2014. I think this is a very tough spot to throw this horse into and I don’t see him anywhere close to these when they round the far turn. Not Today!

(7) Materiality-(7/2) This one has sleeper play written all over him.This is one of the two Todd Pletcher horses in this race and while all the focus is on Upstart and Itsaknockout this one can and may silently get there when the chips are on the line. Major Threat.

(8) Dekabrist-(30/1) It this one hits the board you might need to call for secure to escort you off the grounds. I can’t find anything positive about this one so I will save my time and tell you look elsewhere FAST.

(9) Upstart-(8/5) The talk of the tote.This horse has done it all including a very impressive 3rd place finish as a juvenile in the Breeder’s Cup last fall. Stamped as one of the early Derby Favorites this Rick Violette trainee will look to bounce back after winning the Fountain of Youth and behind placed back to second. I look for a good stalking trip from that 9 hole and as they round the far turn this one puts it into over drive and simply walks away with the Florida Derby.The Horse To Beat!!

No matter if your a fan of the sport or this is your first time watching the races,this time of year is one of the most exciting times.The first Saturday of May and the run for the roses is if full view and horses and trainers are all jockeying for position to secure one of those 18-20 starting spots.

Enjoy the afternoon at Gulfstream Park.