The 2025 Florida Derby

The Florida Derby is one of two important Kentucky Derby prep and point races to be run on Saturday. The other is The Arkansas Derby. I’ll look at the Florida race here and see what we can do.

Neoequos, Disruptor, and Madaket Road should provide a legitimate pace in the mile and one eighth race.

Sovereignty won the Fountain of Youth and that should earn him the favorite role. Disruptor might have something to say about that as he comes in with a hefty price tag, speed, a big maiden win and a lot of hype. Sovereignty loses Junior Alvarado to injury and picks up Manny Franco. Madakat Road was scheduled to be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione but he also got hurt and Mike Smith lands there.

Sovereignty had the benefit of a long run up last out which almost turned the Fountain of Youth into a mile and an eighth race as opposed to a mile and a sixteenth short stretch contest. He should get pace to run at again but is likely already in the Kentucky Derby and can afford an educational run whereas others can’t. I liked him last time but will go against him here.

Disruptor is fast and scary here. If he gets the right trip, he can prove difficult.

I thought Tappan Street moved a little early and was also a bit green and on the wrong lead in the stretch. He skipped the Fountain of Youth, and I think the extra time should do him good. The early move he made followed a wide trip on the turns and I think he should go forward here. A tighter and more experienced Tappan Street should be right in the fight here when it counts. I’ll land here.

Earlier on the card the fast finishing and Gulfstream loving Far Bridge makes his return from the Breeders’ Cup as a five-year-old. It’s nice to see him back at five and if he is as good or better than he was at four he should be a handful.

Enjoy the races!