Gulfstream's Grade 2 race has a strong field for the 1 1/16 mile race which gets sophomores ready for the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
152nd Kentucky Derby
There are three stepping-stone stakes races to the Kentucky Derby (G1) this weekend and Woodbine's leading trainer Mark Casse has two hopefuls.
The race is a precursor to the Grade 1 Florida Derby, but it has a super field of Kentucky Derby hopefuls racing 1 1/16 miles.
A finalist for Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old Colt or Gelding, Two Out Hero drew post 12 for a Kentucky Derby stepping-stone race.
“I thought it was a perfect start to his three-year-old campaign,” said Todd Pletcher of the colt which won with a smart 92 speed figure.
All John Oxley's colt needed for the $1 million Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn on Feb. 5 was some sharp pace up front.
Centennial Farms’ Nearly scored a dominating 5 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s $175,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
John Oxley, a three-time Sovereign Award winner, owns the 1-2 finishers in an early Kentucky Derby prep and both are trained by Mark Casse.
