The Florida Derby is a Triple Crown Prep race for three-year-old thoroughbreds, held at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It takes place five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, which is typically either at the end of March or the beginning of April. The Grade I race has been a part of the racing calendar since 1952 and covers 1+1⁄8 miles on dirt and boasts a purse of $1,000,000.
Over the years, the Florida Derby has gained prestige as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby and has been a part of the official Road to the Kentucky Derby since 2013. Originally held in early to mid-March, Kentucky Derby hopefuls would then run in another major prep race in April. However, in 2005, Gulfstream Park shifted its schedule to run the Florida Derby five weeks before the Kentucky Derby. Although initially perceived as a disadvantage, the spacing of the races began to be seen as a potential advantage after Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
Interesting Florida Derby fact, 20 Florida Derby winners have won one or more of the Triple Crown Classics, which include the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
Saturday, April 1, 2023 // Gulfstream Park
| RACE // PURSE | TYPE // SURFACE | DISTANCE // TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Race 1 // $84K | Maiden // Turf | 1 Mile // 11:30AM ET |
| Race 2 // $50K | Maiden // AW | 5 1/2 Furlongs // 11:59AM ET |
| Race 3 // $100K | Cutler Bay S. // Turf | 7 1/2 Furlongs // 12:28PM ET |
| Race 4 // $86K | Allowance // Dirt | 1 Mile // 12:57PM ET |
| Race 5 // $200K | Pan American S. // Turf | 1 1/2 Miles // 1:26PM ET |
| Race 6 // $84K | Maiden // Turf | 1 Mile // 1:56PM ET |
| Race 7 // $150K | Ghostzapper S. // Dirt | 1 1/16 Miles // 2:26PM ET |
| Race 8 // $150K | Orchid S. // Turf | 1 1/2 Miles // 2:56PM ET |
| Race 9 // $100K | Sir Shackleton S. // Dirt | 7 Furlongs // 3:31PM ET |
| Race 10 // $150K | Sand Springs S. // Turf | 1 1/16 Miles // 4:04PM ET |
| Race 11 // $100K | Sanibel Island S. // Turf | 7 1/2 Furlongs // 4:38PM ET |
| Race 12 // $250K | Gulfstream Park Oaks // Dirt | 1 1/16 Miles // 5:15PM ET |
| Race 13 // $150K | Appleton S. // Turf | 1 Mile // 5:57PM ET |
| Race 14 // $1M | Curlin Florida Derby // Dirt | 1 1/8 Miles // 6:40PM ET |
| POST | RUNNER | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jungfrau | Paco Lopez | William Mott |
| 2 | West Coast Cowboy | Sonny Leon | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 3 | Shaq Diesel | Miguel Vasquez | Renaldo Richards |
| 4 | Mage | Luis Saez | Gustavo Delgado |
| 5 | Mr. Peeks | Edwin Gonzalez | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 6 | Nautical Star | Leonel Reyes | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 7 | Il Miracolo | Jesus Rios | Antonio Sano |
| 8 | Mr. Ripple | Edgard Zayas | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 9 | Cyclone Mischief | Javier Castellano | Dale Romans |
| 10 | Fort Bragg | Joel Rosario | Tim Yakteen |
| 11 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
| 12 | Dubyuhnell | Jose Ortiz | Danny Gargan |
Recent Winners
| YEAR | WINNER | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | White Abarrio | Tyler Gaffalione| Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. |
| 2021 | Known Agenda | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher |
| 2020 | Tiz the Law | Manuel Franco | Barclay Tagg |
| 2019 | Maximum Security | Luis Saez| Jason Servis |
| 2018 | Audible | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher |
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When is the 2023 Florida Derby?
The 2023 Florida Derby will be ran on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Since 2005, it has been run five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, which the Kentucky Derby is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May.
What time is the 2023 Florida Derby?
The Florida Derby is Race 15 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 6:40PM ET. It is part of a full card of racing at Gulfstream Park, including multiple other stakes races.
Where is the Florida Derby run?
The Florida Derby is run at Gulfstream Park, in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
How can I watch or live-stream the Florida Derby?
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