HALLANDALE BEACH - Florida Derby Day at Gulfstream Park features a spectacular program Saturday featuring10 stakes, five graded, worth $2.675 million in purses anchored by the $1 million, Gr. I Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa for 3-year-olds, the country’s premier Triple Crown prep celebrating its 75th anniversary.

    Gulfstream odds-maker Brian Nadeau has Fountain of Youth runner-up Chief Wallabee at 2-1, Fountain of Youth winner Commandment at 5-2, Holy Bull winner Nearly 3-1, and Tampa Bay Derby winner The Puma 9-2.

    Trainer Brad Cox is seeking his second consecutive victory in the Florida Derby. He won last year with Tappan Street. Todd Pletcher, who saddles Nearly, will seek his record ninth Florida Derby victory. Bill Mott, trainer of Chief Wallabee, will try to win his first Florida Derby after finishing second three times. A victory by The Puma would provide trainer Gustavo Delgado with his first Florida Derby victory. Delgado won the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Mage.

    First race post Saturday is 11:30 a.m.

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