Shipsational to Remain South for Florida Derby
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Shipsational wins the 2021 Sleepy Hollow Stakes at Belmont Park
Trainer Eddie Barker said Iris Smith Stable's New York-bred multiple stakes winner Shipsational will make his next start April 2 at Gulfstream Park in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1).
The Midshipman chestnut has been based in Florida this winter, finishing third in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 12 after a runner-up finish in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) there. He is currently in 15th position on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 14 points and can pick up more in the Florida Derby, which offers Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top-four finishers.
"We're going to run in the Florida Derby. We're down here already and I think it's going to be a lot easier on the horse. We'll take our shot there and if we get enough points that's fine. If not, Plan B," Barker said. "We'll run him back in three weeks—third off the layoff—and I don't have to train him hard. If we're fortunate enough to get enough points, it's five weeks to the Kentucky Derby which is perfect."
Javier Castellano will ride in the Florida Derby, Barker said. Castellano was up when Shipsational rallied for second in the Sam F. Davis after a slow start. Manny Franco rode Shipsational in the Tampa Bay Derby.
Charge It , Simplification , and White Abarrio are three other leading 3-year-olds pointed to the Florida Derby.