Collaborate Works Toward Florida Derby Start

Three Chimneys Farm and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Collaborate breezed a bullet four furlongs March 14 at Gulfstream Park in preparation for the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) March 27.

The Into Mischief  colt was timed in :47.05, the fastest clocking of 51 recorded at the distance, while returning to the work tab for the first time since graduating by 12 1/2 lengths under wraps Feb. 27 at Gulfstream. He worked in company with Sound Machine, a 4-year-old stakes-winning filly.

"He showed great progression today. He's always been a good work horse," trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. "He worked with Sound Machine. She was a little keen early on. She was on the outside and was leading and they finished head-and-head and he galloped out stronger than her."

Collaborate broke his maiden in his second start on the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) undercard three weeks after his debut. He completed a one-turn mile in 1:36.35 and will stretch out to 1 1/8 miles for the Florida Derby.

"He has the looks physically; he's big, tall. Few are comparable to him in looks. As big as he is, he's very athletic, very fluid, very efficient mover," Joseph said. "Watching him work today, you don't even know he's working that quick. He came the last quarter in :22 and 4 and galloped out. You don't think he's going that fast, but when you look at the clock, he is."

In his first start, the Kentucky-bred colt was a troubled fifth racing six furlongs on a sloppy track Feb. 6. Bears Watching, who came back to win Saturday at Gulfstream by 7 3/4 lengths, finished third a neck and a head in front of Collaborate in that race.

"First time out, losing was a blessing in disguise. It didn't feel good on the day, knowing the talent that he had, but I think it helped us going forward," Joseph said.

Collaborate will concede racing experience to his rivals in the Florida Derby.

"I think he's a special horse. Obviously, we're asking a lot of him to make his third start in the Florida Derby and have to face a horse like Greatest Honour (winner of the Holy Bull, G3, and Fountain of Youth Stakes) and a few others that will be more seasoned," Joseph said. "I feel like he's a horse who has the ability to overcome seasoning."

Trainer Antonio Sano reported Sunday that Hall of Famer Javier Castellano will ride Magic Stables' Papetu for the first time in the Florida Derby. The Dialed In  colt finished third in the Fountain of Youth following a wide trip from the outside post 10. He was also fourth behind Greatest Honour in the Holy Bull after beginning his season with a second in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes.