Gulfstream Should Have Lucrative FL Derby Day
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Nobody can be certain about whether morning-line favorite Upstart, his rival Itsaknockout, or any of the seven other entrants will finish first March 28 in the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. 1).
A day before, however, indications were that Gulfstream Park could be headed for a huge day in wagering and other business.
Officials of the Hallandale Beach, Fla. track are not making public predictions, but it would not be surprising if the all-sources handle Saturday breaks the Gulfstream single-day record of $26,820,951, which was set March 29, 2014—last year's Florida Derby day.
Just like 2014, the 1 1/8 mile Triple Crown prep race is the showcase day's 14th and final race, with a scheduled post time of 6:48 p.m. EDT.
A heavy storm hit Gulfstream and other parts of South Florida March 27, but forecasts say the skies should quickly clear, with almost no chance of rain overnight and during the day Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 70s, under partly-cloudy skies that would prevent humidity from becoming unbearable.
With the expected good weather, the seven Gulfstream races scheduled for turf will likely stay on the surface, aiding betting pools.
There will be a carryover of $208,891.55 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 wager on the day's final six races.
Gulfstream is guaranteeing pools of at least $500,000 for the Rainbow 6 and the 50-cent Pick 4 on the day's last four races. There is a guarantee of at least $300,000 on the 50-cent Pick 5 on the day's last five races and the track is also offering a $1 daily double on the Florida Derby and the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).
The Florida Derby is one of seven graded stakes on the card and trainer Bill Kaplan has horses in three of those races.
East Hall will be among the favorites in the Skip Away (gr. III), at 1 3/16 miles on dirt for 4-year-olds and up, as will Ekati's Phaeton in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. II), at 1 1/8 miles on dirt for 3-year-old fillies, while My Point Exactly figures to be a long shot in the Florida Derby.
"There is always a buzz throughout the day on Florida Derby day," Kaplan said. "It is very exciting, especially for the owners who have a horse in the Florida Derby."
"The horses don't mind it," the trainer added. "A lot of them are used to big crowds here on Saturdays. It is harder for trainers and some other people to get back and forth, but that's part of a big day."