'Work in progress': Real Macho is pointed to Florida Derby

Real Macho, fourth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Saturday, will remain at Gulfstream Park for his next start in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 30.

“We’ll be back in the Florida Derby,” said Dean Reeves of co-owner Reees Thoroughbred Racing. Reeves campaigned Real Macho’s sire, Mucho Macho Man, during a career with nine wins that included a victory in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic, a third-place finish in the 2011 Kentucky Derby and more than $5.6 million in purse earnings from 2010 to 2014.

Real Macho, racing without blinkers for the second straight race, had his head turned as the gates opened for the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth and broke awkwardly. But he was within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead for the first four furlongs before winding up 7 3/4 lengths behind winner Dornoch.

“Frankly, I expected a bit more from him on finishing up, but he was moving well on the backstretch and it just seemed like he dropped the bit when the horses came to his outside,” Reeves said. “He’s still maturing and still a little green, but I think we’ll get a better effort next time in the Florida Derby.”

Real Macho earned 10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, and another 200 are up for grabs in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, with 100 going to the winner. Last year, Mage ran fourth in the Fountain of Youth and second in the Florida Derby as a prelude to his victory in Kentucky.

“That’s why I say sometimes these horses are still young, and he’s a (June) foal so he’s still learning,” Reeves said. “(The Fountain of Youth) was really a chance for us to pick up a few extra points. With him, we know it’s a work in progress. I was a little disappointed, but he came out of it well and we’ll fire at it again.”

Other horses under consideration for the Florida Derby are Dornoch; Fierceness, 2023 2-year-old male champion who finished third in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull (G3); Holy Bull winner Hades; and Conquest Warrior, a winner of two straight this winter at Gulfstream, including a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance March 1.

Trained by Rohan Crichton, Real Macho had two wins from four starts, a maiden triumph in November and an optional claiming allowance score Feb. 3, both going a mile at Gulfstream, the latter his first time without blinkers after wearing them for his first three races. Winless in two tries around two turns, he was making his stakes debut in the Fountain of Youth.

“He had a lot of momentum going into the Fountain of Youth, but I think it’s hard for them to figure out that effort process of what all it takes for them to be successful,” Reeves said. “He’s learning, and Rohan’s got some things that he’s going to work on between now and the Florida Derby to try to help him stay focused and get used to some horses around him. We hope we’ll get a little bit better outcome in the Florida Derby.”

Reeves may have another starter on the Florida Derby program in Queen’s Martini for the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). The 3-year-old filly was facing graded company for the first time in the March 2 Davona Dale (G2), finishing fourth and beaten by less than three lengths by Fiona’s Magic. It was a half-length to favored Leslie’s Rose in third.

“I thought she ran a good race. I was hoping we were going to get third, but I thought she was closing well and gave us a good effort,” Reeves said. “She’s another one that’s not fully matured that we don’t want to press too hard. I haven’t talked with (trainer) Danny (Gargan) about what would be next for her. If she comes out good, we’ll probably try another prep race. I’m just not sure if it’ll be in Florida or someplace else.”

The Gulfstream Park Oaks is contested at 1 1/16 miles, which would be Queen’s Martini’s first try at two turns. It offers 200 qualifying points for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

“She was finishing in her last race, which is the most important thing. She just didn’t not do anything. She was running and she herself has got to continue to develop. It’s not a real push for us to make the (Kentucky) Oaks. There’s some nice races later in the summer I’d like to have her ready for.”