| Grade I race | |
|---|---|
| Florida Derby | |
| Location | Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida, USA |
| Inaugurated | 1952 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Gulfstream Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs) |
| Track | Dirt, Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | 122 lbs (55.3 kg) |
| Purse | $1 million |
The Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida on the Saturday closest to the end of March or the first of April. Added to the racing schedule in 1952, the Grade 1 race is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse currently set at $1 Million. The race is a major social event at the end of the South Florida winter season.
Winners of the Florida Derby usually go on to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
In 1977, a large field resulted in the race being run in two divisions.
Between 1926 and 1937, the Flamingo Stakes was known as the Florida Derby.
Contents |
Speed Record:
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance (Miles) |
Time |
Purse |
Grade |
| 2011 | Dialed In | 3 | Julien R. Leparoux | Nick Zito | Robert V. LaPenta | 1-1/8 | 1:50.74 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2010 | Ice Box | 3 | Jose Lezcano | Nick Zito | Robert V. LaPenta | 1-1/8 | 1:49.19 | $750,000 | I |
| 2009 | Quality Road | 3 | John Velazquez | James A. Jerkens | Edward P. Evans | 1-1/8 | 1:47.72 | $750,000 | I |
| 2008 | Big Brown | 3 | Kent Desormeaux | Richard E. Dutrow | IEAH Stables/Paul Pompa | 1-1/8 | 1:48.16 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2007 | Scat Daddy | 3 | Edgar Prado | Todd A. Pletcher | J. Scatuorchio / M. Tabor | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2006 | Barbaro | 3 | Edgar Prado | Michael Matz | Lael Stables | 1-1/8 | 1:49.01 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2005 | High Fly | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Nick Zito | Live Oak Plantation | 1-1/8 | 1:49.43 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2004 | Friends Lake | 3 | Richard Migliore | John C. Kimmel | Chester & Mary Broman | 1-1/8 | 1:51.38 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2003 | Empire Maker | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Robert Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1-1/8 | 1:49.05 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2002 | Harlan's Holiday | 3 | Edgar Prado | Kenneth McPeek | Starlight Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:48.80 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2001 | Monarchos | 3 | Jorge Chavez | John T. Ward, Jr. | John C. Oxley | 1-1/8 | 1:49.95 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 2000 | Hal's Hope | 3 | Roger Velez | Harold Rose | Rose Family Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:51.49 | $1,000,000 | I |
| 1999 | Vicar | 3 | Shane Sellers | Carl Nafzger | James B. Tafel | 1-1/8 | 1:50.83 | $750,000 | I |
| 1998 | Cape Town † | 3 | Shane Sellers | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.21 | $750,000 | I |
| 1997 | Captain Bodgit | 3 | Alex Solis | Gary Capuano | Team Valor | 1-1/8 | 1:50.60 | $750,000 | I |
| 1996 | Unbridled's Song | 3 | Mike Smith | James T. Ryerson | Paraneck Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:47.85 | $750,000 | I |
| 1995 | Thunder Gulch | 3 | Mike Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor | 1-1/8 | 1:49.70 | $500,000 | I |
| 1994 | Holy Bull | 3 | Mike Smith | Warren A. Croll, Jr. | Warren A. Croll, Jr. | 1-1/8 | 1:47.66 | $500,000 | I |
| 1993 | Bull Inthe Heather | 3 | Wigberto Ramos | Howard M. Tesher | Arthur Klein | 1-1/8 | 1:51.38 | $500,000 | I |
| 1992 | Technology | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Hubert Hine | Scott Savin | 1-1/8 | 1:50.72 | $500,000 | I |
| 1991 | Fly So Free | 3 | Jose Santos | Scotty Schulhofer | Tommy Valando | 1-1/8 | 1:50.44 | $500,000 | I |
| 1990 | Unbridled | 3 | Pat Day | Carl Nafzger | Genter Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:52.00 | $500,000 | I |
| 1989 | Mercedes Won | 3 | Earlie Fires | Arnold Fink | Christopher Spencer | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | $500,000 | I |
| 1988 | Brian's Time | 3 | Randy Romero | John M. Veitch | James W. Phillips | 1-1/8 | 1:49.80 | $500,000 | I |
| 1987 | Cryptoclearance | 3 | Jose Santos | Scotty Schulhofer | Phil Teinowitz | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | $500,000 | I |
| 1986 | Snow Chief | 3 | Alex Solis | Melvin F. Stute | Rochelle/Grinstead | 1-1/8 | 1:51.80 | $500,000 | I |
| 1985 | Proud Truth | 3 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | Darby Dan Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $500,000 | I |
| 1984 | Swale | 3 | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Woody Stephens | Claiborne Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.60 | $300,000 | I |
| 1983 | Croeso | 3 | Frank Olivares | Jerry M. Fanning | Joyce & Roy Fowler | 1-1/8 | 1:49.80 | $300,000 | I |
| 1982 | Timely Writer | 3 | Jeffrey Fell | Dominic Imprescia | Peter & Francis Martin | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | $250,000 | I |
| 1981 | Lord Avie | 3 | Chris McCarron | Daniel Perlsweig | David Simon | 1-1/8 | 1:50.40 | $250,000 | I |
| 1980 | Plugged Nickle | 3 | Buck Thornburg | Thomas J. Kelly | John M. Schiff | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | $250,000 | I |
| 1979 | Spectacular Bid | 3 | Ronnie Franklin | Bud Delp | Hawksworth Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:48.80 | $200,000 | I |
| 1978 | Alydar | 3 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | Calumet Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.00 | $200,000 | I |
| 1977 | Ruthie's Native | 3 | Craig Perret | Eugene Jacobs | Ruth A. Perlmutter | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | $125,000 | I |
| 1977 | Coined Silver | 3 | Buck Thornburg | George T. Poole III | C. V. Whitney | 1-1/8 | 1:48.80 | $125,000 | I |
| 1976 | Honest Pleasure | 3 | Braulio Baeza | LeRoy Jolley | Bertram R. Firestone | 1-1/8 | 1:47.80 | $125,000 | I |
| 1975 | Prince Thou Art | 3 | Braulio Baeza | Lou Rondinello | Darby Dan Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:50.40 | $150,000 | I |
| 1974 | Judger | 3 | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Woody Stephens | Claiborne Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | $150,000 | I |
| 1973 | Royal and Regal | 3 | Walter Blum | Warren A. Croll, Jr. | Aisco Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:47.40 | $130,000 | I |
| 1972 | Upper Case | 3 | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $130,000 | |
| 1971 | Eastern Fleet | 3 | Eddie Maple | Reggie Cornell | Calumet Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.40 | ||
| 1970 | My Dad George | 3 | Ray Broussard | Frank J. McManus | Raymond M. Curtis | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 | ||
| 1969 | Top Knight | 3 | Manuel Ycaza | Ray Metcalf | Steven B. Wilson | 1-1/8 | 1:48.40 | ||
| 1968 | Forward Pass | 3 | Don Brumfield | Henry Forrest | Calumet Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | ||
| 1967 | In Reality | 3 | Earlie Fires | Melvin Calvert | Frances A. Genter | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | ||
| 1966 | Williamston Kid † | 3 | Robert Stevenson | James Bartlett | Ternes & Bartlett | 1-1/8 | 1:50.60 | ||
| 1965 | Native Charger | 3 | John L. Rotz | Ray Metcalf | Warner Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:51.20 | ||
| 1964 | Northern Dancer | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Horatio Luro | Windfields Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 | ||
| 1963 | Candy Spots | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1-1/8 | 1:50.60 | ||
| 1962 | Ridan | 3 | Manuel Ycaza | LeRoy Jolley | Jolley / Woods / Greer | 1-1/8 | 1:50.40 | ||
| 1961 | Carry Back | 3 | Johnny Sellers | Jack A. Price | Mrs. Katherine Price | 1-1/8 | 1:48.80 | ||
| 1960 | Bally Ache | 3 | Bobby Ussery | Homer Pitt | Edgehill Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.60 | ||
| 1959 | Easy Spur | 3 | Bill Hartack | Paul L. Kelley | Spring Hill Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.20 | ||
| 1958 | Tim Tam | 3 | Bill Hartack | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.20 | ||
| 1957 | Gen. Duke | 3 | Bill Hartack | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:46.80 | ||
| 1956 | Needles | 3 | David Erb | Hugh L. Fontaine | D & H Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:48.60 | ||
| 1955 | Nashua | 3 | Eddie Arcaro | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud | 1-1/8 | 1:53.20 | ||
| 1954 | Correlation | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Noble Threewitt | Robert S. Lytle | 1-1/8 | 1:55.20 | ||
| 1953 | Money Broker | 3 | Alfred Popara | Vester R. Wright | G. & G. Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:53.80 | ||
| 1952 | Sky Ship | 3 | Ronnie Nash | Preston M. Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 |
MI Developments Inc. announced August 27, 2010 a special bonus program involving tracks owned by the company that could result in a $5.5 million bonus for the winner of the 2011 Preakness Stakes. MID also announced that purses of the Florida Derby and Santa Anita Derby would both be increased to $1 million. MID said the "historic and unique bonus program" called "Preakness 5.5" is designed to "allow both east and west coast based 3-year-olds to qualify by having the preliminary races at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields."
In addition to the purses earned in the qualifying races and the Preakness on May 21, 2011, the owner of a horse winning the bonus would receive $5 million and the trainer would get $500,000. "The purpose of this grand prize is to provide a spectacular event for the fans and to create a potential life changing experience for the stakeholders of the racing industry," Frank Stronach, chairman of MID, said in a statement.
To qualify for the Preakness 5.5 at Gulfstream Park, a horse must win either the Holy Bull Stakes or the Fountain of Youth Stakes and then go on to win the Florida Derby on April 3, 2011. To qualify for the Preakness 5.5 at Santa Anita Park, a horse must win either the Robert B. Lewis Stakes or San Felipe Stakes and then go on to win the Santa Anita Derby. The winner of the El Camino Real Derby, which is scheduled to be run on Feb. 12, 2011 at Golden Gate Fields, will also qualify for the Preakness 5.5 if it goes on to win the Santa Anita Derby.
MID also announced that XpressBet will sponsor the XpressBet.55, a consolation prize of $550,000 ($500,000 to the owner and $50,000 to the trainer) to be awarded to the winner of the 2011 Preakness if that horse was not eligible for the Preakness $5.5 million bonus but was a runner in one of the initial qualifying races and finished first, second, or third at the Santa Anita Derby or Florida Derby.
Paths to $5,500,000 Preakness Bonus:
1) win Holy Bull Stakes + win the Florida Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
2) win Fountain of Youth Stakes + win the Florida Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
3) win Robert B. Lewis Stakes + win the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
4) win San Felipe Stakes + win the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
5) win El Camino Real Derby + win the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
Paths to $550,000 XpressBet Bonus:
1) run in Holy Bull Stakes + win, place or show in the Florida Derby or win, place or show in the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
2) run in Fountain of Youth Stakes + win, place or show in the Florida Derby or win, place or show in the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
3) run in Robert B. Lewis Stakes + win, place or show in the Florida Derby or win, place or show in the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
4) run in San Felipe Stakes + win, place or show in the Florida Derby or win, place or show in the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes
5) run in El Camino Real Derby + win, place or show in the Florida Derby or win, place or show in the Santa Anita Derby + win The Preakness Stakes