Derby News

A standout field of eight three-year-olds with hopes of making it to Louisville in May will run 1 1/8 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1).

The first three 200-point prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) have now been run, and all went to horses without previous victories in the series.

Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park is an important stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis to the top five finishers.

A stellar field has turned out for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Emerging Market and Fulleffort are Kentucky Derby-bound after winning major qualifiers over the weekend, the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).

"He would run right up to us as soon as we opened the gate, like, hey, I’m here—play with me!"

Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) serves as a showdown among three colts who have delivered top-caliber performances in the preceding preps at Gulfstream Park.

Fresh off a maiden-breaking victory in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs, Renegade bids to confirm his Kentucky Derby (G1) spot in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

The winners of the past two scoring races in Dubai, Six Speed and Brotherly Love, will square off against UAE Oaks (G3) romper Labwah and Japanese hopes Pyromancer and Wonder Dean.

Trainer Chad Brown already had the early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite, Paladin. Now he has another unbeaten contender, Emerging Market, who punched his ticket in Saturday’s Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).