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Gulfstream moves date of Florida Derby

Quality Road set a track record in the 2009 Florida Derby (Adam Coglianese Photo) Gulfstream Park has announced adjustments to their 2010 stakes schedule and the creation of a new stakes day for sprinters. Affected by the changes are the dates of the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth S. (G2), and the layering of stakes races on Saturdays, especially the first Saturday of the meeting, when the five stakes carded compose the inaugural Gulfstream Sprint Showcase. Opening day for Gulfstream Park's 79-day meeting is January 3. "The name of the game is handle," Gulfstream Park's Racing Operations Manager Bernie Hettel said. "We believe that the adjustments are for the good of the fans as well as good for the horsemen, and ultimately good for the industry." The Florida Derby will be run March 20, six weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby (G1). Earlier, Fair Grounds had announced the Louisiana Derby (G2) would be run one week later than usual in 2010. The new date, March 27, was the original date for the Florida Derby.

"Gulfstream Park's well-diversified racing program is universally well known, but the accent, for the owners, trainers and jockeys as well as the racing public, has always been on the development of three-year-olds as they prepare for the Triple Crown," Gulfstream Park President and General Manager Ken Dunn said. "Fixing the date of the Florida Derby six weeks ahead of the Kentucky Derby puts the Florida Derby front and center in the consciousness of the American racing public."

The Fountain of Youth has also been moved, from February 27 to February 20. Both the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth will be run at 1 1/8 miles.

Another major move in the realignment was turning the first Saturday of the meet, January 9, into a blockbuster day of sprint stakes composed of the Spectacular Bid for three-year-olds, the Mr. Prospector (G3) for older horses, the Old Hat (G3) for three-year-old fillies, the Sugar Swirl (formerly the First Lady) (G3) for older fillies and mares, and a new stakes named the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint.

The first four named above carry a $100,000 purse and will be run at six furlongs; the Turf Sprint will be valued at $75,000 and will be run at five furlongs.

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