Florida Derby Field at Gulfstream Park March 28 Taking Shape

Next Saturday’s 58th edition of the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) will be the highlight of Gulfstream Park’s March 28 horse racing program.

The 2009 Florida Derby is one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby 135 to be held on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

A field of 7 or 8 is taking shape for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, led by several of the nation’s most highly-regarded Kentucky Derby contenders — Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Dunkirk; Edward P. Evans’ Quality Road, John Oxley’s Beethoven and Samotawka Stables and partners’ Theregoesjojo.

Other probable Florida Derby entries include New Life Stable and Equus Racing Stable’s Stately Character, Korina Stable’s Sincero and one of several nominees trained by Nick Zito.

Also to be run on the 12-race Florida Derby Day program will be renewals of the $150,000 Swale Stakes (G2), also a one of the Kentucky Derby prep races, for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs and the $100,000 Appleton Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.

Leading prospects for the Swale field include Harold Queen’s Big Drama; Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farm’s Custom for Carlos, Susan Moore and M and M Thoroughbreds’ Presto Change O and Soldi Stable’s Sabi Sabi.

Horse racing news edited from www.gulfstreampark.com.