The FL Derby- Grade I [KYD]
1 1/8 Miles Dirt Graded Stake Purse $1,000.000 Three-Year-Olds. At GP

1st     Destined Charge                   Mb Stables                 12-1 (HRP) 12-1 (SRF)

Destined Charge looked to me like the least likely of Dan’s trio because of his limited experience, but he handled this race like an old pro, taking the lead coming out of the Club House Turn and dueling with Gogh Wild the entire race to an eventual dead heat. In fact, looking at the versatility he has displayed in his short career, he looks to be a power-packed problem for the Derby field.

1st      Gogh Wild                TwinTowersRacing               8-1 (HRP} 5-1 (SRF)

Gogh Wild broke on top out of the gate, surrendered the lead coming onto the backstretch but never gave up the fight even though Destined Charge edged ahead slightly coming into the stretch, he continued the battle courageously to finish on even terms with the other. This race was a vast improvement over his previous route tries showing a willingness to extend his speed over long distances.

3rd      Joykiller                            Mb Stables            *7-2 (HRP) *8-5 (SRF)

Race favourite, Joykiller, second in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes as a closer couldn’t have asked for a better set-up up front as the speed duel raged throughout and to the stretch as he laid ninth. But I think maybe the pace was a little too slow and he mistimed the speed of the leaders coming down the lane winding up a length short.

4th      Simple Man             Serenity Stables                  7-1 (HRP) 6-1 (SRF) Serenity Stables’ purchase of Simple Man got him some KYD points, not enough though, so he will need to think about trying to squeeze another qualifier in before the Derby. The horse stepped up in grade nicely with a strong run from wire to wire weakening only slightly in the final strides.    

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, TC 2026