By Alan Carasso
Eight days ago, Batman v. Superman debuted to mixed reviews, but was a hit among moviegoers, turning in the biggest opening weekend in motion picture history. Even Hollywood producers could not have gotten it more right for Saturday's GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby, as the $1-million event has attracted the nation's two leading contenders for the GI Kentucky Derby five weeks down the road in the form of the 'homestanding' Mohaymen (Tapit) and reigning 2-year-old champion Nyquist (Uncle Mo) in from California.
Together, the two horses have accounted for over $3 million in gross receipts at public auction and have won their 11 starts combined. And though it stands to reason that there is improvement to come from each, the slight nod on the morning line goes to Mohaymen, whose three wins from as many tries around two turns have come with a great deal of ease. Victorious in the GII Nashua S. and in the GII Remsen S. to work his way onto the Eclipse ballot, the $2.2-million co-topper at the 2014 Keeneland September sale was returned to action relatively quickly and proved the comfortable winner of the GII Lambholm South Holy Bull S. Jan. 30, defeating GI Champagne S. hero Greenpointcrusader (Bernardini) by 3 1/2 widening lengths.
The steel-gray colt was given another tactically perfect ride by Junior Alvarado when facing a fresh challenge from 'TDN Rising Star' Zulu (Bernardini) in the GII Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth S. Feb. 24 and came calling for the lead outside that rival turning for home before scampering clear to score by 2 1/4 handy lengths. His speed figures have held steady and something's gotta give Saturday, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is welcoming the challenge.
“We'd rather face him later in the Derby than now, but this is an important race, the Grade I Florida Derby,” the conditioner commented. “We're not a Grade I winner, so it's a very important race and we're ready to go.”
While Mohaymen has a future in the Shadwell stallion barn, Nyquist has already been snapped up by Sheikh Hamdan's brother Sheikh Mohammed to stand at Darley's Kentucky satellite at Jonabell Farm. And that decision is looking a decidedly shrewd one at this stage. In contrast to the favorite, who made just one sprint appearance, Nyquist tried abbreviated trips in his first three runs, posting easy wins in the GII Best Pal S. and GI Del Mar Futurity, defeating the solid barometer Swipe (Birdstone) on each of those occasions. Though he handled two turns with another defeat of Swipe as the 1-2 chalk in the GI FrontRunner S. at Santa Anita Sept. 26, he hardly set the world on fire and was thusly no better than a 9-2 chance in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, his wide draw in 12 further fueling the doubt and the doubters. But in spite of a horror trip that Halloween Saturday, Nyquist managed to overcome all for a half-length defeat over his familiar foe. Named champion of his generation in mid-January, Nyquist sat up on a fast pace in the GII San Vicente S. Feb. 15 and raced away for a 1 1/2-length victory in that seven-furlong comebacker. The $400,000 Fasig-Tipton March grad is in line for a cool million-dollar bonus with a win Saturday, but trainer Doug O'Neill suggested Gulfstream had been the plan, kicker or no kicker.
“After we got lucky in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, that was the decision we made, where he'd go in the San Vicente and then the Florida Derby,” the trainer explained. “Usually in life, when you make a plan, you've got to call some audibles, but so far things have unfolded they way we wanted. The million-dollar bonus does come into play a little bit, but it was our intent to go in the Florida Derby.”
The two favorites appear on paper to be a country mile ahead of the others, but third is worth $100,000 and a Grade I placing, so one could not fault the connections of eight others who might be satisfied enough to round out the triple. With 11 starts under his belt, Fellowship (Awesome of Course) is the field's second most-tried horse, and has earned some good money in finishing third behind Mohaymen in the Holy Bull and the Fountain of Youth.
But it is 'TDN Rising Star' Takeittotheedge (Broken Vow) who offers the most intrigue. The chestnut was bet down to 4-1 for his seven-furlong debut over this track Mar. 5 and set a decent pace beneath Eclipse Award winner Tyler Gaffalione to lengthen away by 7 3/4 lengths. The $135,000 Keeneland September graduate, who descends from the female family of GI Travers S. winner Will's Way and GI Whitney S. hero Tizway looks well equipped to see out this trip and, if not one for Saturday, is certainly one for the future.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
