Gunnevera Draws Outside for Florida Derby

Gunnevera, one of the top contenders on the 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby, drew post 11 and was installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite March 29 for the April 1 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

While 11 entered the 1 1/8-mile test, Florida's final prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), only 10 are expected to run. Always Dreaming and Battalion Runner both passed the entry box for trainer Todd Pletcher, who is only expected to start Always Dreaming.

Post 11 could prove a challenge to Peacock Racing Stables' three-time graded stakes winner Gunnevera, as outside posts are typically regarded as difficult for runners going the Florida Derby distance at Gulfstream.

However, the 3-year-old son of Dialed In   enters off an impressive 5 3/4-length victory in the March 4 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) for trainer Antonio Sano, and ranks second on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 64 points. He won the 2016 Saratoga Special (G2) and Delta Downs Jackpot (G3), and started his sophomore season with a runner-up finish in the Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream before his Fountain of Youth score.

A full preview of the Florida Derby will follow later today at bloodhorse.com



$1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1), 1 1/8 miles, dirt

Post, Horse, Trainer, Jockey, Odds

1. State of Honor, Mark Casse, Julien Leparoux, 8-1

2. Talk Logistics, Eddie Plesa Jr., Joe Bravo, 30-1

3. Charlie the Greek, Mikhail Yanakov, Leonel Reyes, 50-1

4. Always Dreaming, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 4-1

5. Quinientos, Enrique A. Sanchez, Carlos Montalvo, 50-1

6. Coleman Rocky, Gustavo Delgado, Jose Ortiz, 30-1

7. Unbridled Holiday, Patrick Biancone, Nik Juarez, 30-1

8. Impressive Edge, Dale Romans, Corey Lanerie, 12-1

9. Battalion Runner, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 3-1

10. Three Rules, Jose Pinchin, Luis Saez, 8-1

11. Gunnevera, Antonio Sano, Javier Castellano, 9-5