2026 Florida Derby Day

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Flavien Prat celebrates aboard Commandment after winning the Florida Derby

2026 Florida Derby Day

Date: 03/28/2026

The highlight of the Gulfstream Park meeting for Triple Crown season is the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'N' Dale Farms at Xalapa, a major prep for the Kentucky Derby worth 100 points to the winner as part of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series.

Down the stretch in the Florida Derby
Conditions were excellent at the Hallandale Beach oval, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80's, with the main track fast and the turf going firm. After 3 scratches, a compact field of just 6 went to post with Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Nearly sent off as the 7-5 favorite. In to challenge him included 9-5 second choice Commandment, winner of the Fountain of Youth (G2), and 2-1 third choice Chief Wallabee, second in the Fountain of Youth.

Jockey Marcos Meneses sent 46-1 Wayne's Law to the lead first time by through fractions of 24.10 and 48.80 while pressed by Nearly and stalked by Chief Wallabee. On the far turn Wayne's Law tired allowing Nearly to inherit the lead through 3/4 in 1:13.00. Turning for home 8-1 The Puma, unhurried early, swept to lead through 1 mile in 1:37.32 but Commandment, last early under Flavien Prat, came out five wide and rallied to win by a nose in 1:49.49. It was another 1/2 length back to Chief Wallabee third, and another 3 1/4 back to favorite Nearly fourth.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 4 Commandment Prat 5.80 3.20 2.40 8 The Puma Castellano 5.40 3.20 2 Chief Wallabee Alvarado 2.40 Winning Time: 1:49.99 $1 Exacta 4-8 12.10 $1 Trifecta 4-8-2 21.50 $1 Superfecta 4-8-2-6 32.90
Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Commandment in the winners circle. Winning trainer Brad Cox said, "Yeah, I wasn't loving [trailing the field early]. Even on the far turn it looked like the top flight was traveling well. I think he put to bed the question was how far he wants to go. I think the 1 1/8 miles, the 1 1/4, with the right trip he can get it done."

Right: Commandment heads back to the barn after the race. Cox added, "He's a big, sturdy horse. I've said that several times. He takes his races really well and a couple people told me he was the paddock pick. He's a big, sturdy horse and once again, once he comes out of it in good order, I think it will set him up for five weeks. The Kentucky Derby is without doubt the hardest race to win, there's no doubt about it, and that's why it's so special. And you need to run as many as you can."

Left: Commandment in the post parade. Winning jockey Flavien Prat said, "I was a bit worried because I wasn't traveling very well the first part. The pace wasn't very fast and I was just in the back, and I thought I would be a bit closer. Then I tipped him out turning for home, he swapped leads and from there he gave me a good, solid run."

Right: Commandment heads to the winner's circle. Prat added, "When he turned for home it looked like Junior Alvarado [on Chief Wallabee] had plenty of horse and he was just going to get through and when we turned for home he wasn't going anywhere. My horse just leveled off nice. From that point, at the eighth pole, I thought I had a chance."

Left: Second place finisher The Puma in the post parade. Jockey Javier Castellano said, "He ran a huge race. I'm very satisfied. Perfect trip. That's what we were looking for today. He gave me a very good run. I thought I had it."

Right: Third place finisher Chief Wallabee walks over before the race. Trainer Bill Mott said, "We were saving ground. He tipped him out and he just felt like, as easily as he was traveling, he would probably accelerate a little quicker than what he did. I mean, he came on but maybe not as quick. As well as he was traveling on the bridle, when he released him he thought he would probably quicken a little more. But, you know, it's only his third race and they've got to learn to do that. He's getting more experience, and it wasn't a bad race. It was a good race."

The horses break from the gate for the Florida Derby. Jockey John Velazquez aboard 4th place finisher and beaten favorite Nearly said, "We got a good position. The track was playing pretty slow. The track was against us today. I might have had him a little too tight. The track was not in our favor. His style before, he was off the pace. Now he was a little too keen, and the way the track was playing, it was not the way you wanted to be there."

The distaff counterpart to the Florida Derby is the $250,000 City National Bank Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) at 1 1/16 miles, worth 100 points to the winner as part of the Kentucky Oaks Championship Series for 3-year-old fillies. Davona Dale (G2) winner She Be Smooth was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of 7 over 3-1 second choice Prom Queen off her maiden win at second asking and 4-1 third choice Just Singing, third in both the Golden Rod (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2).

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione sent 7-1 My Miss Mo to the lead first time by through fractions of 24.13, 48.52, and 1:12.49 while pressed by 31-1 longest shot Nasty Z and stalked by Prom Queen and Just Singing. Turning for home, Prom Queen came out 3 wide for room and gained the lead through 1 mile in 1:37.64. Kept to task by Javier Castellano, Prom Queen drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths over My Miss Mo in 1:44.40. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to late-running favorite She Be Smooth third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Prom Queen heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Brad Cox said, "We'll ship her back to Kentucky at some point and prepare for (the Oaks). Hopefully she does well over the next five weeks.

Right: Javier Castellano celebrates aboard Prom Queen. Castellano said, "It seemed the track was favoring speed and I didn't want to be too far back. It's beautiful the way she moves and strides. It seems to me the longer the better for her. The way she finished was very impressive. I rode her all the way, a mile and an eighth, let her gallop out, and she did really well. I had a lot of horse."

Left: Second place finisher My Miss Mo in the post parade.

Right: Third place finisher She Be Smooth in the post parade.

The fillies break from the gate for the Gulfstream Park Oaks.

The $175,000 Orchid Stakes (G3) featured a field of 7 older fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) 6th place finisher Bellezza was sent off as the 8-5 favorite over 5-2 second choice Speed Shopper, winner of the Christophe Clement (G3), and 4-1 third choice Ayra Stark, second in the Christophe Clement.

Jockey Joel Rosario sent Ayra Stark to the lead first time by through fractions of 23.79, 48.71, 1:14.22, and 1:39.31 while pressed by 26-1 longest shot Ramsey Pond and stalked by Speed Shopper. Ramsey Pond briefly led through 10f in 2:02.42 before Ayra Stark regained it, but 18-1 Sultana, 5th early under Junior Alvarado, rallied 3 wide to get up by a neck over Ayra Stark in 2:24.47. It was another 3/4 length back to Speed Shopper third, while favorite Bellezza checked in 6th beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Sultana heads to the winner's circle. Winning jockey Junior Alvarado said, "Kevin wanted to make sure my filly gets relaxed. That's what I was working on throughout the race. I got some cover and she was very kind to me. When I got her to the outside, I could tell she was going to be game to the end."

Right: Sultana gets hosed off after the race. Winning trainer Kevin Attard said, "She'd been training really well at Palm Meadows. Obviously it was a tough task for her off the bench, but she had trained well. She looked physically great. She ended her last campaign in the Maple Leaf going a mile and a quarter with a nice win. When we ran her on the turf last season, I thought that was her best performance up to date, so we were anxious to get her back on the grass. I think she really excels over it."

Left: Second place finisher Ayra Stark returns after the race.

Right: Third place finisher Speed Shopper heads out to the track.

A field of 8 older horses (after 2 scratches) went 1 1/2 miles on the turf in the $225,000 Pan American Stakes (G3) presented by Rood & Riddle. Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) 4th place finisher Far Bridge was sent off as the 6-5 favorite over 2-1 Corruption, 5th in the River City (G3), and 7-2 Dashman off a 4th place finish in allowance company.

Jockey John Velazquez sent Corruption to lead through fractions of 23.58, 47.81, 1:12.59, 1:36.92, and 2:00.03 while pressed by Dashman and stalked by Far Bridge. Into the stretch Corruption continued to lead but Far Bridge rallied to win by a neck over Corruption in 2:23.51. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to 7-1 fourth choice Echo Lane third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Far Bridge heads to the winner's circle. Winning trainer Miguel Clement said, "Last year started off a great season and we're hoping for the same this year."

Right: Far Bridge in the post parade. Winning jockey Flavien Prat said, "I was a bit worried about my draw (post position 7) being on the outside," Prat said. "But we found a good spot and he gave me a good run."

Left: Second place finisher Corruption returns after the race.

Right: Third place finisher Echo Lane in the post parade.

A field of 7 older horses (after 2 scratches) contested the $175,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) presented by FanDuel TV at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Last year's Wood Memorial (G2) runner-up Grande was sent off as the 1-10 favorite over 7-1 second choice Capital Idea off a 5th place effort in an allowance, and 12-1 Cadet Corps making his first career start at age 7.

Jockey John Velazquez sent Grande to the lead through fractions of 24.57, 49.42, and 1:13.56 while pressed by 64-1 Racing Driver and stalked by Capital Idea. Into the lane Grande continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:37.89, and easily held off Capital Idea the rest of the way to win by 3/4 length in 1:44.26. It was a long 7 3/4 lengths back to Racing Driver third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Grande in the winner's circle. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "Just looking on paper, there was no speed at all. So, I was obligated to come out of there and get a position going into the first turn. Once we got there, he was cruising all the way around and waiting for the competition. He's not the kind of horse that goes on and opens up on other horses, so he was kind of waiting for the competition to come right next to him and when I asked him he responded nicely."

Right: Grande heads back to the barn after the race. Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "It looked like he was the speed of the race. There wasn't a lot of pace in there. He had things his way, which we were happy to take. It looked like he was waiting on company a little bit. When the other horse came to him, he found a little bit more. It was another good, solid effort by him. I think he's versatile enough in a scenario where there's not a lot of speed, he can [set the pace]. But he wouldn't mind having a target either."

Left: Second place finisher Capital Idea in the post parade.

Right: Third place finisher Racing Driver in the post parade.

The horses break from the gate for the Ghostzapper Stakes.

The $175,000 Sanibel Island Stakes featured a field of 10 three-year-old fillies going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. 9-4 favorite Laigina led through fractions of 22.76, 46.12, and 1:09.17 while pressed by 28-1 Secane and stalked by 11-4 second choice Tam Tam. Laigina continued to lead through 7f in 1:21.21 but Tam Tam, confidently ridden by Junior Alvarado, came out 4 wide and rallied late to win by a neck in 1:30.10. It was a length back to Laigina third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Tam Tam heads to the winner's circle. The Philip Bauer traimnee improved her record to 2 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 5 starts, earning $127,665 for owner Rigney Racing.

Right: Tam Tam in the post parade.

The $175,000 Army Mule Stakes featured a field of 9 older horses sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. 13-2 Concrete Glory set the pace of 22.71, 45.14, and 1:09.67 while pressed by 6-1 Jack's Promise and stalked by 4-1 Pentathlon. Inside the 1/8 pole Concrete Glory tired as Pentathlon and jockey Dylan Davis came out 5 wide to outfinish 11-1 Back Em Up by 1/2 a length in 1:23.11. It was another 1/2 length back to 12-1 Playmea Tune third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Pentathlon returns after the race. Winning trainer Shug McGaughey said, He's kind of a funny horse. Sometimes when we thought he would run big he didn't. But he trained good at Payson [Park], and his race at Tampa was really good. The horse finished second to him there [Capital Idea] finished second [today] in The Ghostzapper. I thought Dylan rode a good race on him. He had him where he needed to be."

Right: Pentathlon in the post parade.

A field of 10 older fillies and mares contested the $175,000 Sand Springs Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on turf. 9-2 Silver Moonlight set the pace of 23.66, 47.11, and 1:10.72 while pressed by 5-1 Candy Quest and stalked by 8-5 favorite Sweet Rebecca. Turning for home Silver Moonlight tired allowing Sweet Rebecca to gain the lead through 1 mile in 1:33.81. Kept to task by Tyler Gaffalione, Sweet Rebecca held off late-running 6-1 Hang the Moon by a neck in 1:39.81. It was a length back to 4-1 Maggie Go third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Sweet Rebecca in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione said, "Everything kind of went to plan. Brendan (Walsh) said to let her break out of there and let her get some forward position. The two other horses were keen to go forward so I just put my hands down. She was a little reluctant to relax but she came back to me and I was sitting on her just waiting for the spot."

Right: Sweet Rebecca heads back to the barn after the race. Gaffalione added, "When it happened up she didn't hesitate. I was trying to be patient on her. I had a lot of horse, so I was just trying to work out a trip and not do anything drastic and when the spot opened she fired right through."

A field of 7 older horses contested the $175,000 Appleton Stakes presented by Daily Racing Form at 1 mile on the turf. Jockey Julien Leparoux sent even-money favorite Quatrocento to the lead through fractions of 24.65, 47.61, and 1:10.30 while pressed by 7-2 third choice Beach Gold and stalked by 16-1 Prevent. Turning for home Quatrocentro opened a 1 1/2 length lead through 7f in 1:21.35, and held off late-running 64-1 longest shot Westside Tide to win by 3/4 length in 1:32.92. It was another 3/4 length back to Beach Gold third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Quatrocento returns after the race. Winning jockey Julien Leparoux said, "My horse always breaks pretty sharp, and I was able to get to the first turn in front of [Prevent]. The other speed that scratched [Tomasello], that was a big help, too. From there we controlled the race."

Right: Quatrocento heads back to the barn. Leparoux added, "He traveled very nicely the whole backside. He wanted to go today. He finished up very nicely and I still had some horse at the end, so that was good. When he felt the horses coming to him he responded again and came on strong at the end."

Kicking off the Saturday stakes action was the $165,000 Cutler Bay Stakes featuring 7 three-year-olds going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. 14-1 longest shot Ababajoni set the pace of 23.42 and 46.81 while pressed by 3-2 favorite Immortalized and stalked by 8-1 Behold the King. Turning for home Immortalized came up along the rail to gain the lead through 3/4 in 1:09.82 and held off Ababajoni the rest of the way to win by a head in 1:27.24. It was a neck back to 10-1 Blinging It Back third.

Results Chart from DRF.

Left: Immortalised returns after the race. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "Obviously the inside trip helped me today!"

Right: Immortalised in the post parade. Velazquez added, "He's not a horse that opens up. He gets to the lead and he stops. He was looking at everything and (I said) �Come on man, just pay attention. You have a horse next to you.'"

Photos courtesy of Amber Chalfin of Downthestretchphotos.com.

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