2008 Florida Derby runs on March 29
The Grade 1, $1 million 2008 Florida Derby Race at Gulfstream Park will run on March 29.
It will feature the top three-year-old thoroughbreds of the country. A preparatory race for the coming 2008 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, this should tell ya’ll who you should bet on once the Triple Crown series begins this year.
Colts came out of their races doing quite well with the likes of Big Brown. Big Brown, the undefeated and as yet unchallenged three-year-old sensation who took South Florida by storm after cruising to a 12 ¾ length allowance victory at Gulfstream Park is all set to win the $1 million purse back there.
Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr, who trains Big Brown for the IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., said ‘’we got to thinking and drinking last night and by the time we were done, we decided the 2008 Florida Derby Race at Gulfstream Park would be the best option.’’
Veteran jockey Kent Desormeaux will ride Big Brown for the Florida Derby, even though Desormeaux has been scheduled to ride on the Dubai World Cup card that same day.
Also in the race is Bea Oxenberg’s three-year-old Hey Byrn, who reaffirmed his credentials as a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender at Gulfstream Park when he drew off to win a 1 1/8 mile allowance race by six lengths under jockey Edgar Prado.
Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Hey Byrn should be a close second choice to the favored Alaaz.
Fountain of Youth Stakes winner Cool Coal Man might also race in the 2008 Florida Derby Race. According to trainer Nick Zito, Cool Coal Man will have just one more race between now and the Kentucky Derby, with the leading option at this point the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby Race at Gulfstream Park on March 29.
‘’He’s going to have one more race. That’s it,’’ Nick Zito said. ‘’We’ll have to look at the Florida Derby, but it’s still early. We know he likes Gulfstream.’’
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