McLaughlin's Ajaaweed Breezes Toward Florida Derby

Before embarking on the latest chapter of his horse racing career—one in which he will become an agent for jockey Luis Saez—Kiaran McLaughlin has a potentially rewarding loose end to tie up as a trainer.

The 59-year-old is gearing up Shadwell Stable's Ajaaweed for a start in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 28 at Gulfstream Park. The colt breezed a half-mile in :49.70 March 20 at Palm Meadows Training Center.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Florida Derby remains on schedule to be contested, though the state of horse racing is fluid across the country. Gulfstream Park paused racing Friday, though track officials aim to resume Saturday after updating its COVID-19 protocols, including in the jockeys' room.

A homebred bay son of Curlin , Ajaaweed has had five works, all at Palm Meadows, since his most recent start when he finished third behind Sole Volante and Independence Hall in the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

"He continues to train well, and we're pointing for the Florida Derby. We're happy with him," McLaughlin said. "He's always worked well, and he continues to train well. The last race, he was just so far back, and he had to make up ground from well back. Hopefully, things go a little better next Saturday. It's a mile and an eighth, so he gets a little more distance."

Ajaaweed debuted last summer with a fifth at Saratoga Race Course before breaking his maiden second time out in September at Belmont Park. From there, he ran fourth behind Maxfield in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and second to Shotski, beaten a half-length, in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack to end his juvenile season.

In his lone start this year, Ajaaweed was last of seven for six furlongs in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis. Jockey Joel Rosario is scheduled to retain the mount for the Florida Derby.

Initial plans called for Ajaaweed to run in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but McLaughlin opted to remain in Florida. Other horses being pointed to the 1 1/8-mile race include 2019 Champagne Stakes (G1) and 2020 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Tiz the Law, Feb. 29 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Ete Indien, 2019 Nashua Stakes (G3) winner Independence Hall, and 2019 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity runner-up Gouverneur Morris.

"We decided to stay home this time instead of going to Louisiana with him, with everything that's going on in the world," McLaughlin said. "There's a lot of adjustments being made everywhere, but he's doing very well and we're looking forward to running."

McLaughlin said he has no plans to delay or change his career decision despite the circumstances surrounding racing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. His Shadwell-owned horses, including Ajaaweed, will move to trainer Todd Pletcher.

A former agent for late jockey Chris Antley and a former leading trainer in Dubai, McLaughlin has been based in the U.S. since 1995. He has won 1,577 races in North American and more than $120 million in purses through March 19.

Also working Friday at Palm Meadows was Screen Door Stables' Florida Derby nominee As Seen On Tv, who went four furlongs in :49.05. The Florida-bred son of champion Lookin At Lucky  was second in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes and third in the Fountain of Youth for trainer Kelly Breen.