Probable Field for Florida Derby Stands at Six

An anticipated showdown between undefeated 3-year-olds Mohaymen and Nyquist in the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) April 2 at Gulfstream Park has attracted a trio of new challengers.

Ifyousnoozeyoulose and Sawyers Mickey, owned by Ron Paolucci’s Loooch Racing Stables, and Grupo 7C Racing Stable’s Majesto are all being pointed to the 65th running of the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, Gulfstream’s signature event.

A life-long horseplayer and gambler, Paolucci began investing in horses in 2011 and is known for taking shots in big races. He entered Ria Antonia in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) off just a maiden win and she finished second by a nose at 32-1 only to be put up to first following the disqualification of She’s a Tiger.

At Gulfstream, Paolucci claimed Sr. Quisqueyano for $62,500 in December 2014 and was immediately rewarded when he upset the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at 20-1 the following month.

Gulfstream Park-based trainer Peter Walder will saddle both Ifyousnoozeyoulose and Sawyers Mickey, who had been with Tom Amoss at the Fair Grounds, in the Florida Derby.

“He’s really passionate. He believes in not only his horses but his trainers. A lot of times he picks out some spots that seem like you’re really up against it but he’s going to get lucky. He’s gotten lucky before,” Walder said. “The guy spends money. There’s no reason to think it’s not going to happen again. I don’t know whether it’s going to happen that day against those two horses, but the fact is third place gives you $100,000.”

Claimed for $50,000 out of a 4 ¼-length maiden victory Feb. 4 at Gulfstream, Ifyousnoozeyoulose finished last of eight in a 6 ½-furlong starter optional claimer Feb. 26 before being promoted to seventh following a nightmarish trip. Sawyers Mickey is winless in seven starts, four of them this year, most recently running third in the John Battaglia Memorial March 12 at Turfway Park.

“[The Feb. 26 race] was a disaster. He got slammed and never got a chance to run. His maiden race was very impressive,” Walder said. “Ron is higher on the maiden. He absolutely loves that horse. He’s run against some nice horses and Amoss likes him as well, but he’s still a maiden.”

Majesto has run four times at the Championship Meet, coming from off the pace to break his maiden by a length going 1 1/16 miles Feb. 27 in his most recent effort. He was second, beaten less than a length in a similar spot Dec. 12, and third Feb. 6 at 1 1/8 miles.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado, a four-time Triple Crown winner in his native Venezuela, said meet-leading rider Javier Castellano will have the call on Majesto, as well as Paola Queen in the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Grand Tito in the $200,000 Pan American (G2) on the Derby undercard.

“I know that the two big horses are very, very, very strong. To finish third would be very good for me,” Delgado said. “It looks like only six or seven horses will be in the race. Racing is racing, and anything can happen”