Distance
1 1/8 miles
Surface
Dirt
Eligibility
3yo only
Grade
G1
About the race
The richest and most predictive Derby prep. The race has produced 24 Kentucky Derby winners since 1952.
Race history
First run in 1952. Often the deepest Derby prep field of the spring. Worth 100 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, which almost always locks up a Derby spot. Recent Derby winners who came through here include Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Big Brown (2008), and Barbaro (2006).
Betting trends
What sharps watch for
- 01
Sprint-to-route progression: most winners step up from a 1-mile or 1 1/16-mile prep into the Florida Derby's 1 1/8 miles.
- 02
Gulfstream's main track plays moderately fast. Pace types do well, but pure speed often gets caught in the stretch.
- 03
Strong Derby predictor. Top-3 finishers historically over-perform in Louisville versus comparable preps.
Recent winners
Last 5 editions
| Year | Winner | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Fierceness | — |
| 2023 | Forte | — |
| 2022 | White Abarrio | — |
| 2021 | Known Agenda | — |
| 2020 | Tiz the Law | — |
Where to bet the Florida Derby
US pari-mutuel wagering happens through licensed operators. TVG (FanDuel-owned) and TwinSpires (Churchill Downs) are the two largest dedicated US racing platforms; both ship win/place/show plus the full exotic ladder (exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, Pick 3/4/6) at the Gulfstream Park meeting.
Other Derby preps
Bet responsibly · 21+ · 1-800-GAMBLER