Derby News

(March 29, 2006) - Lael Stable's Barbaro has won on turf and slop, winning three stakes while racing at four different racetracks in three different states. Still, the undefeated colt has plenty to prove, and he'll get his chance as he faces his stiffest test to date Saturday in the Gr. I Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in south Florida.

Once a test of champions, the Florida Derby field is, arguably, diluted this year due to a change in schedule and distances in the Gulfstream prep races. Nevertheless, the $1 million purse attracted a field of 11, including a couple of the more highly regarded Kentucky Derby prospects, with the mile and an eighth distance providing ample seasoning for horses hoping to race in Louisville in just five weeks.

Unbeaten in four starts and unraced since his win in early February in the Holy Bull Stakes, Barbaro is unquestionably the Florida Derby favorite, with regular rider Edgar Prado aboard in post ten. Trained by former equestrian Michael Matz, the son of Dynaformer was bred by his owners, Gretchen and Roy Jackson and was named for a foxhound portrayed in an heirloom painting hanging in the couple's Pennsylvania home.

In preparation for Saturday's big race, Barbaro breezed a half-mile on Monday at Palm Meadows training center, with regular exercise rider Peter Brett aboard. Matz termed the move in :48 flat, "great. He's ready to go."

While Barbaro has never raced on a fast, dirt track, he's been professional in each of his four starts, generally settling just a length or two behind the early leaders regardless of pace. And while Matz has never had a Florida Derby-caliber horse, he's had plenty of experience with top horses in general. In addition to training top turf runner Kickin Kris, the former Olympic show jumper was part of the team that earned a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. As Matz likes to say, "Horsemanship is horsemanship."

Horsemanship runs in the family for Kiaran McLaughlin, the trainer of likely second choice, Flashy Bull. McLaughlin's father-in-law John Hennig, is a longtime trainer in the Midwest and Florida, his brother-in-law, Mark Hennig is a top trainer in New York, and brother Neal works as assistant and helps to run the show. Neal was, in fact, manning the fort when Flashy Bull turned in his final Florida Derby work-out, also at Palm Meadows, breezing a half-mile in :49 2/5. One week earlier, the son of Holy Bull worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:01.

"He worked perfect," Neal remarked. "We were happy...and he galloped out great. He did everything the right way. This horse has a personality that's unbelievable. I've never been around a horse quite like him...we're very happy he's coming along so well."

A winner in just one maiden race last fall at Belmont Park, Flashy Bull appears to be getting better with each start. The colt was second in the grade II Remsen in his final start of last year, and he returned to racing this season with a fourth in the Holy Bull behind Barbaro and then a second, via disqualification, in the Fountain of Youth Stakes behind First Samurai. On Saturday, he'll break from post two with Rafael Bejarano aboard, an advantageous post given the colt's natural early speed.

As for his trainer, McLaughlin, 46, was an assistant for several years to D.Wayne Lukas, so he's well-versed in the trials of the Triple Crown. The Lexington, Kentucky native finished a close second in last year's Run for the Roses with longshot Closing Argument, who was beaten by the Holy Bull colt Giacomo. McLaughlin, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, hopes Holy Bull can strike two years in a row.

The Florida Derby will run around 5:42 Eastern and will be televised on USA Network, part of an all-star card that includes six added-money events. The entire field for the Florida Derby, from the rail out, includes: Hesanoldsalt, one of two Nick Zito runners, Eddie Castro aboard; Flashy Bull and Bejarano; Saint Augustus, the first of two Todd Pletcher entrants, this one with Chris DeCarlo; Doc Cheney, Nick Zito and Jeremy Rose teaming up; recent allowance winner and the second of the Pletcher horses, Sunriver, the likely third choice in the betting with John Velazquez in the irons; Rehoboth with Javier Castellano; Sharp Humor for Dale Romans, Mark Guidry named to ride; High Blues with Cornelio Velasquez; Charming Image, Rajiv Marah; Barbaro and Prado; and on the outside, and California invader Sam's Ace with Felipe Martinez shipping for trainer Doug O'Neill.

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