Distance
1 1/8 miles
Surface
Dirt
Eligibility
3yo only
Grade
G1
About the race
The richest and most predictive Derby prep — 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 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (1st place); winners almost always lock up a Derby spot. Recent Derby winners who won the Florida Derby first: Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Big Brown (2008), Barbaro (2006).
Betting trends
What sharps watch for
- 01
Sprint-into-route progression: most winners come off a 1-mile or 1 1/16 mile prep stepping up to 1 1/8 mi here.
- 02
Gulfstream's main track plays moderately fast; pace types do well but pure speed often gets caught in the stretch.
- 03
Strong predictor for the Derby — top 3 finishers historically over-perform in Louisville vs. 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
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