Audible wins 2018 Florida Derby from off pace; Hofburg second

Audible rallied off swift opening fractions in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.1 million Florida Derby to punch his ticket to the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

For trainer Todd Pletcher, it’s another entry in the May 5 race at Churchill Downs with his Always Dreaming having won it last year. And it’s nice to take this prep in particular, as the Florida Derby has produced three of the last five Kentucky Derby winners.

Lightly raced maiden winner Hofburg ran second by three lengths in a race that awarded qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the Top 4 finishers. The Bill Mott trainee, too, should be on to Churchill should connections opt for the trip.

"The main thing you've just got to hope is you can have a good five weeks from here, everybody stay healthy, get to Churchill and handle the surface there," Pletcher said.

Audible entered Saturday’s race off since his score in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes in February, also at Gulfstream Park. While his morning workouts looked less than stellar, Pletcher insisted his horse would show up in the afternoons.

A son of Into Mischief, Audible did just that, racing to 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.49 under jockey John Velazquez.

"I was a little worried when they turned up the backside because we got into the first turn in exactly the position we wanted to get into," Pletcher said. "Then we kind of fell back, and I was a little worried, because that's not normally Johnny's style -- to let one drop back that far.

"But once he found his rhythm down the backside and started picking up horses, I felt much better."

Velazquez further explained: "I think the farther he goes the better he gets. I used him a little too much going into the first turn but by the time I got to the backstretch I had to give him a little break where he got to be comfortable again and then he started rolling. I was pretty happy after that.”

Mississippi was third with Catholic Boy — the Grade 2 Remsen winner who will miss the Kentucky Derby — fourth.

"I won’t say he floundered, but he just didn’t go anywhere – he just kind of stayed on," said Catholic Boy's trainer, Jonathan Thomas. "He didn’t show the turn of foot I was hoping for. He had a great setup, perfect ride.”

Grade 2 Fountain of Youth winner Promises Fulfilled didn't hit the board after racing Strike Power through early fractions of a quarter mile in 21.92 seconds and half in 46.37. Neither horse could continue at that pace, backing up through the far turn as Audible made a strong outside move.

Promises Fulfilled has the points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby nonetheless.

“You live by the sword, you die by the sword," said trainer Dale Romans. "We went wire to wire last time, but that doesn’t mean we don’t regroup and go back in the Derby.”

For Pletcher, this marks at least a third entry on the first Saturday in May assuming his charges remain healthy. His Noble Indy won last week's Louisiana Derby, and Magnum Moon jumped into stakes company to take the Rebel Stakes.

One bit of history is standing in the New York-bred Audible's way. Funny Cide (2003) is the only other Kentucky Derby winner from his home state.