Florida Derby 2024: Kentucky Derby Prospects Clash at Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park will host a pivotal test for Kentucky Derby hopefuls this Saturday as nine horses are entered in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1). The 1 1/8-mile race offers 200 qualifying points to the winner, 50 to second, 25 to third, 15 to fourth, and 10 to fifth, shaping up as a crucial stepping stone toward the first Saturday in May.

Wathnan Racing’s Commandment, a son of Into Mischief, is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line. Trainer Brad Cox is aiming for back-to-back Florida Derby victories, having won the race last year with Tappan Street. Cox noted Commandment’s strong finish in the Fountain of Youth, stating, “I thought he was getting a good trip… inside path and finished up well.” He added that jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Reported the colt had plenty left in the tank after the win.

Leading the morning line at 2-1 is Chief Wallabee, a homebred for Michael and Katherine Ball, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado. Mott, a Hall of Famer, is still seeking his first Florida Derby victory. Chief Wallabee finished a close second in the Fountain of Youth. The horse shares a trainer and jockey with Sovereignty, the 2025 Florida Derby winner who went on to win the Kentucky Derby.

Centennial Farms’ Nearly, a son of Not This Time, is the 3-1 third choice. Trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won the Florida Derby eight times, and ridden by John Velazquez, Nearly enters the race with a three-race win streak, including a victory in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on January 31st at Gulfstream.

The Puma, owned by OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing, is a 9-2 contender. Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, the colt comes off a victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3). Delgado and Castellano previously teamed up to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage, who finished second in the Florida Derby that year.

Other entrants include Wayne’s Law, a son of 2020 Florida Derby winner Tiz the Law, trained by Amador Sanchez. Timeless Victory, trained by Ed Plesa Jr.; Gregarious, a maiden making just his second start, owned and trained by Jose Castro; Albus, a last-out maiden winner trained by Riley Mott; and Redland Rebels, who is also entered in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

The Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) is scheduled for Saturday, March 28th at 6:42 PM local time as the 14th race on a card worth $2.675 million.