Castellano has Confidence in Constitution

Javier Castellano has had a pretty good winter. He captured his first Eclipse Award as champion jockey, set a North American record for single-season purse earnings, and broke his own record in becoming just the second rider to claim three consecutive Champions meet titles at Gulfstream Park.            

On Saturday, the 36-year-old Venezuelan goes after the biggest prize that has eluded him in South Florida, where he kicked off his career in 1999 – the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream’s signature race.            

Castellano debuted in the Florida Derby in 2002, running sixth on the Shug McGaughey-trained D’Coach. He is winless in five tries since, the most recent being his best finish, a fourth-place effort on El Padrino in 2012.           

“I have never won the Florida Derby and this is where I started, in Florida,” Castellano said. “One thing I want to get done is the Florida Derby, and I think I have the opportunity this year to win the race. I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to that moment, and I think I have a big chance to win the race.”           

Castellano will be aboard unbeaten but lightly raced Constitution in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Constitution has won both his career starts this winter, each at Gulfstream, most recently an 8 ½-furlong optional claiming allowance on Feb. 22. In each of his races, the Tapit colt has raced on or near the lead.            

“Of course experience helps, but you never know,” Castellano said. “There’s a lot of speed in the race and to me it looks like they are going to go a little bit fast and he’s going to settle off. One thing you need to do is try to be smart and in the right place to make your move.”           

One of two Florida Derby horses making his stakes debut, along with long shot Allstar, Constitution will break from post four in a field of eight that includes graded stakes winners Cairo Prince, Wildcat Red, Spot and Gulfstream Park Derby winner General a Rod.           

“I think it is a great post,” Castellano said. “I have a lot of confidence in my horse. I know he’s only run two times but he’s a young, developing horse and I really liked the way he did it last time. We stretched him out two turns and he handled it so well. I think he’s got a lot of potential. I know you have to compare him with those Grade 2, Grade 3 horses, but I have a lot of confidence. I believe in my horse. I think it’s going to set up perfectly for him. They’re all very competitive horses and I think he can put himself in good position.”           

Perhaps the most unique perspective on the Florida Derby field belongs to Castellano, who has ridden half the contenders. In addition to Constitution, he piloted Wildcat Red to a head victory over General a Rod in the Hutcheson (G3) on Feb. 1, and was second by the same margin to Wildcat Red aboard General a Rod in the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb. 22.            

Castellano also was aboard Allstar for his second lifetime start, a maiden claiming race on the Gulfstream turf on Jan. 4, and was the regular rider for injured Honor Code, who handed Cairo Prince his only career defeat by a nose in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct on Nov. 30.           

“That’s going to be a huge advantage for myself in how I need to make any decision in the race as soon as they open the gate,” Castellano said. “I know most of the horses, even Cairo Prince. We hooked up a couple times together in New York and I know his style and how he likes to run and his best place to move. I think it’s going to help give me more of an idea of when I have to make a good decision in the race.”