Report: Shipsational will race next in 2022 Florida Derby
Shipsational, who finished second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and third in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), will make his next start April 2 in the Grade 1 $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, David Grening of Daily Racing Form reported Sunday.
The New York-bred colt who is owned by Iris Smith Stable and trained by Edward Barker has earned $75,000 from his two Oldsmar starts. More important, at least to his hopes of racing in the Kentucky Derby on May 7, were the 14 qualifying points he picked up in his quest to secure one of the 20 available starting-gate spots at Churchill Downs.
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Shipsational is currently 15th in the standings and likely would need at least a third- or fourth-place finish to get there. The Florida Derby awards qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale.
Barker told DRF he plans to switch jockeys from Manuel Franco back to Javier Castellano, who rode Shipsational in the Sam F. Davis.
Shipsational broke from the No. 8 post position in both races, and Barker said wide trips compromised his chances both times.
Classic Causeway won both races and is No. 1 in the Derby qualifying standings with 66 points. He is expected to make his final start before the Kentucky Derby on April 9 in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Shipsational won a pair of New York state-bred stakes as a 2-year-old at Belmont Park – the Sleepy Hollow and the Bertram F. Bongard.