The Kentucky Derby Road: How Florida Derby Favorite Sovereignty Wins
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HALLANDALE, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Forte #11, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. wins the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 01, 2023 in Hallandale, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThis year, the Florida and Arkansas derbies are a bit more than just a Last Chance Saloon for Derby hopefuls looking to strike it big with a win-and-you’re-in ticket to Louisville on May 3. This Saturday’s two formidable Grade 1 preps, with purses of $1-million and $1.5-million respectively, dovetail perfectly with each other to test the rich, if more-than-slightly unknown, talents of the Triple Crown Class of 2025.
TheOaklawnracehasfamouslydrawnBob-Baffert-trainedCornucopianandthedauntingCoalBattleasfavorites;GulfstreamwillanswersthatonSaturdaywithWilliamMott’spower-manhotfavoriteSovereignty,andBobBaffert’sMadaketRoad.Ominouslyandentertainingly,lurkingjustbehindthosetwointhemorningline,isthedouble-barrelledthreatofToddPletcher’saptly-namedDisruptor.Playerswillbedelightfullychallengedtryingtoboxthosethreeexce
