Castellano seeking first Florida Derby win while Velazquez goes for hat trick

Castellano seeking first Florida Derby win while Velazquez

goes for hat trick

One of two Florida Derby horses making his stakes debut,

along with longshot Allstar, Constitution will break from post four in a field

of eight that includes graded winners Cairo Prince, Wildcat Red and Spot as well

as Gulfstream Park Derby winner General a Rod.

"I think it is a great post," Castellano stated. "I have a

lot of confidence in my horse. I know he's only run two times but he's a young,

developing horse and I really liked the way he did it last time. We stretched

him out two turns and he handled it so well. I think he's got a lot of

potential.

"I know you have to compare him with those Grade 2, Grade 3 horses,

but I have a lot of confidence. I believe in my horse. I think it's going to set

up perfectly for him. They're all very competitive horses and I think he can put

himself in good position."

Perhaps the most unique perspective on the Florida

Derby field belongs to Castellano, who has ridden half the contenders. In

addition to Constitution, he piloted Wildcat Red to a 4 3/4-length victory in the Hutcheson on February 1, and was second by

a head aboard General a Rod in the Fountain of Youth on

February 22 behind Wildcat Red.

Castellano also held the reins on Allstar for his second lifetime

start, a maiden claiming race on the Gulfstream turf on January 4, and was the

regular rider for injured Honor Code, who handed Cairo Prince his only career

defeat by a nose in the Remsen at Aqueduct last November.

"That's going to be a huge advantage for myself in how I

need to make any decision in the race as soon as they open the gate," Castellano

said. "I know most of the horses, even Cairo Prince. We hooked up a couple times

together in New York and I know his style and how he likes to run and his best

place to move. I think it's going to help give me more of an idea of when I have

to make a good decision in the race."

Wildcat Red will break from the rail in the eight-horse

field. Through March 25, post one produced the second-most winners in dirt route

races at the meet at 16 percent (25 for 165). The most successful post is No. 2

(35-165, 21 percent), which will be occupied by Matator in the Florida Derby.

"He's quick enough; I just hope that he behaves well in the

gate and breaks good enough to be in a comfortable position," Velazquez said. "If nobody goes, he's

probably going to be on the lead, anyway. If somebody goes crazy, I can sit

second or third. That would be the best-case scenario, that I can save him for

the end and have something to fight with."

Wildcat Red has shown a tenacity to match his talent,

evidenced by his head victory over General a Rod in the Fountain of

Youth where he also broke from the rail, and a head loss to

that same rival in the Gulfstream Park Derby.

"You see the statistics, the one is a very good post

position," Garoffalo said. "We'll see what happens. He proved that he likes the

inside. The last race he went inside all the way and he made it. When you get

post position one, you depend on the break. That's going to be the key of the

race. But he always breaks good and he's got speed, so I don't think it's going

to be a big deal."

Velazquez has won the Florida Derby twice, with eventual

Kentucky Derby winner Orb last year and Quality Road in 2009.

"It's a great prep going to the Triple Crown, a very

important race," he said. "A lot of good horses come from here. I just hope that

I am the one that wins it again."

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