Cairo Prince is the favorite to win Saturday’s Florida Derby.
Cairo Prince has been set as the 9-5 favorite for Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million race at Gulfstream Park, a significant prep race for the Kentucky Derby. The draw was Wednesday, and it was no surprise to see the multiple stakes winner trained by Kieran McLaughlin set as the one to beat.
"He's happy and we're happy with post three," McLaughlin told reporters. "There's a lot of speed in there, so I think we'll be coming from behind."
Cairo Prince has been successful at Gulfstream in the past; he won the grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes back on Jan. 25. Cairo Prince has won three of his four career starts.
Second-choice Wildcat Red has won his last two stakes races and has prevailed in four of six lifetime starts, all at Gulfstream. He comes in at 3-1 for Saturday’s Florida Derby. General a Rod (7-2) beat Wildcat Red back on Jan. 1.
The Florida Derby is one of eight stakes races on Saturday's card at Gulfstream, with more than $2 million in purses at stake. Weather could be a factor, with isolated thunderstorms in the forecast for race time.
My horse racing claim-to-fame is attending the Florida Derby live in 2012 and successfully picking Take Charge Indy to win. That said, assuming the weather holds up, my 2014 Florida Derby predictions are:
1. Cairo Prince
2. Constitution
3. Wildcat Red
Note: Legendary jockey John Velazquez will make Wildcat Red a fan favorite in South Florida.
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