Florida Derby results - Quality Road beats Dunkirk
Quality Road punched his ticket for the Kentucky Derby with an impressive victory over the highly-regarded Dunkirk Saturday in The Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. He posted a track-record time of 1:47.72 in the process over a surface that was very glib, to say the least.
The souped-up racing surface put a closer like Dunkirk at a decided disadvantage, but he was ultra-impressive in defeat to horse betting fans.
Florida Derby results: is Dunkirk’s fate sealed?
- WHO: Thoroughbreds – This Ones for Phil, Big Drama, Quality Road, Dunkirk
- WHAT: The Swale, The Florida Derby
- WHERE: Gulfstream Park
- WHEN: Saturday, March 28
It remains to be seen if the $150,000 in graded earnings Dunkirk received for his runner-up finish will be enough to qualify for the expected 20-horse Derby field. In any event, Dunkirk will train up to the Kentucky Derby and run if he gets in.
In last Friday’s horse racing article, I expected pleasant Florida Derby results from Dunkirk, but when it became apparent that the track was playing like a paved highway, I passed. I couldn’t bring myself to switch to Quality Road, either, with his odds plummeting to an unappealing 6-5 by post time.
Quality Road and Dunkirk both had to withstand a claim of foul by Kent Desormeaux, the rider of third-place finisher Theregoesjojo, for interference at the top of the stretch. The stewards disallowed the claim, and the Florida Derby results stood.
There was plenty of drama in The Swale Stakes as well. Favorites Big Drama (9-5) and This Ones for Phil (8-5) bumped a couple of times in the stretch, with Big Drama finishing a half-length in front, but being placed second for interference during the stretch run. Big Drama covered the seven furlongs in a track-record time of 1:20.88. In Friday’s article, I selected This Ones for Phil to win, but passed when he failed to meet my minimum odds requirement of 5-2.
The Dubai World Cup was captured by Well Armed in a scintillating, wire-to-wire performance. He drew off by 14 lengths over 60-1 shot Gloria de Campeao. Paris Perfect, 99-1, was third. I passed on 2-1 favorite Asiatic Boy, who failed to meet my 3-1 minimum odds requirement. He finished 12th after a troubled trip.
Let’s look forward to more satisfying horse betting results in this weekend’s Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
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Pete Mitchell has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
