Pulsion blows out for Florida Derby

Grade 1-placed PULSION (Include) breezed three furlongs from the gate in a

bullet :37 at Gulfstream Park Friday morning, just one day in advance of the

Florida Derby (G1). The Patrick Biancone pupil tied for the fastest of five

moves at the distance on the fast track.

Pulsion finished runner-up to champion Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) in the

Norfolk S. (G1) last October, but his subsequent path has not gone as smoothly.

Next time out, the bay colt was roughed up in the first turn of the Breeders'

Cup Juvenile (G1) and wound up 11th.

Plans called for Pulsion to open his three-year-old campaign in a January 31

allowance at Gulfstream Park, but Biancone decided to scratch him when he came

down with a cough. The winner of that allowance, the well-regarded Drosselmeyer

(Distorted Humor), has since gone on to finish fourth in the Risen Star S. (G2)

at Fair Grounds.

Pulsion made his sophomore debut in the February 20 Fountain of Youth S. (G2)

at Gulfstream, where he again had trouble. Racing behind Buddy's Saint (Saint

Liam) on the first turn, Pulsion was forced to steady when that rival was

checked severely. He was unable to land a blow thereafter and reported home

sixth.