You can always count on Florida to have an impact on the Kentucky Derby. The 150th Run for the Roses is no different.
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will feature two horses who went through the Ocala Breeders’ Sales, as well as a handful of trainers, owner and jockeys from the Sunshine State. Four of the horses, including odds-on favorite Fierceness, had their last race at either the Florida Derby in Hallandale Beach or the Tampa Bay Derby in Oldsmar.
Here’s a look at Florida’s ties to the horses running Saturday, May 4 in the Kentucky Derby:
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Odds: 30-1
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Florida ties: Catalytic enters the Kentucky Derby off a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby on March 30 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. Catalytic won his debut at Gulfstream Park on October 7. His trainer is Saffie Joseph Jr., who runs horses year-round at Gulfstream Park. One of his owners is Tami Bobo, founder of Horse Farms Forever in Ocala.
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Odds: 50-1
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Florida ties: Bought at the Ocala Breeders’ sale of 2-year-olds in training in March 2023 for $335,000, but did not sell. Grand Mo the First enters the Kentucky Derby coming off a third-place finish in the Florida Derby on March 30 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. His trainer is Victor Barboza Jr. and his jockey is Emisael Jamarillo, both Venezuelan natives based in Hallandale Beach.
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Odds: 20-1
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Florida ties: Jockey is Junior Alvarado, a native of Venezuela who moved to South Florida in 2007 and won his first American race at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach before moving to Chicago and then Saratoga.
Encino got the No. 9 post but was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Kentucky Derby horses 2024 with Florida ties, Ocala Breeders Sales
