Harvey Wallbanger Fires Bullet for Florida Derby

Harvey Wallbanger, winner of the $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull Stakes (G2), breezed a bullet half-mile in :47.10 at Gulfstream Park March 23 in preparation for a start in the $1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) March 30.          

The breeze by the son of Congrats  was his sixth workout since scoring a 29-1 upset in the 1 1 /16-mile Holy Bull Feb. 2, and ranked as the fastest of 99 recorded at the distance Saturday.            

Owned by Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott Akman, and Paul Braverman, the Kenny McPeek trainee has never been worse than second in five starts. The Kentucky-bred colt was the runner-up in three consecutive starts at Saratoga Race Course, Keeneland, and Churchill Downs before capping his juvenile campaign with a maiden victory at 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Nov. 17. His one-length victory in the Holy Bull came in his 2019 debut.



McPeek also worked Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner Signalman five furlongs, and the son of General Quarters went in 1:00.76. Seventh last out in the Fountain of Youth, Signalman is pointing toward the April 6 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.

Later in the morning, Jacks or Better Farms' Garter and Tie breezed five furlongs in 1:02.22 for a planned start in the Florida Derby.

"The work was good. We wanted a little maintenance five-eighths," trainer Ralph Nicks said. "We gave him a little freshening in between the last two, and we just wanted to stretch his legs, put some air in him, and we'll see how he handles a mile and an eighth."

Garter and Tie finished sixth in the Holy Bull, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Harvey Wallbanger. The Florida-bred son of Brooks 'n Down won the Dec. 8 Smooth Air Stakes and finished third in the Jan. 5 Mucho Macho Man Stakes going a one-turn mile. The homebred colt won the $250,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed Stakes Sept. 1 going seven furlongs.

"I think the nine furlongs, his two-turn races, his numbers have not been quite as good as his one-turn races, but he trains like (he'll get the distance) and I think with the right setup … we'll take the blinkers off of him and make a few changes and see how it goes," Nicks said.

Dale Romans-trained Florida Derby nominees Everfast (1:01.96), runner-up to Harvey Wallbanger in the Holy Bull, and Come On Gerry (1:02.66) both worked five furlongs at Gulfstream Saturday morning. 

At Palm Beach Downs, R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Vekoma, who finished third in the $400,000 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream March 2, breezed five furlongs in 1:02.82. A decision on whether the George Weaver-trained colt will run in the Florida Derby or the Blue Grass at Keeneland has yet to be made.