Constitution Wins the Florida Derby

 

Etch Constitution’s name into the honor roll of winning Florida Derby Champions.  The winner of the 66^th edition of the Florida Derby cut the corner on the far turn and came up the rail to surprise Wildcat Red in the final jump.  Wildcat Red who was slightly rank early, slowed the pace down early, getting the first quarter in a sensible :24 flat.  General A Rod lurked in second place, while Constitution, who was also rank early while being restrained, settled into third.  Coming around the far turn, Javier Castellano cut the corner, taking  advantage of General A Rod as that one drifted out three wide.  Wildcat Red also drifted slightly, giving Constitution a straight shot up the rail. The tough Wildcat Red fought back but was edged by a neck at the wire. Race favorite Cairo Prince tracked from fifth place, went four wide on the turn and was never a factor. He finished fourth, 3½ lengths behind Constitution.

 

 

The race fractions were :24, :48.19, 1:12, 1:36.46 and the final time for 1 1/8 miles over the fast track was 1:49.16.

 

The Florida Derby Champ earned a whopping 100 points to win.  Wildcat Red the second place finisher was awarded 40 points, with third place General A Rod   getting 20,   and Cairo Prince  10 points for fourth.

 

 

Constitution is owned by WinStar Farm LLC and Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC.

 

WinStar Farm Racing Manager Elliott Walden had this to say about Constitution, “He had some sore shins at Saratoga last year (as a two year old). He was going to run at the end of the meet, but we had to wait.   When asked about the “Kentucky Derby curse” that no horse that only one horse that hasn’t raced at two won the Kentucky Derby, Walden commented, “I think it’s going to happen in the next five years.  The way people are managing their horses now and the way the points system sets up. Bodemeister almost did it. It’s just matter of time.  It’s a challenge but I’d rather have a horse coming into it (the Derby) three for three than a horse that ran five times at two and is off form.   I feel very good about this colt, I think he’s done things that are remarkable.  His allowance race was a legitimate stake (race), the quality. For him to come back and do this was remarkable."

 

 

Trainer Todd Pletcher stated, “It gives you confidence moving forward, knowing he got some education and got some dirt in his face.”

 

 

Castellano was impressed with Constitution after the colt’s first start. “I think the horse is learning little by little and he has a great future.’

 

 

Constitution paid $8.60 for the win, Wildcat Red $4.80 and General A Rod returned $3.40.