Wilson: Florida Derby should be quite a race

If the Nyquist-Mohaymen showdown in the Florida Derby on April 2 goes off as plaed, it will be one of the few times in recent memory that the top two 3-year-olds in most experts’ Kentucky Derby rankings squared off before the Run for the Roses.

Even Zulu, one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s top Derby hopefuls, might join the fray after a strong second-place showing in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park. Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form earlier this week he’s undecided whether he’ll take on the Big Two or opt for the Blue Grass or Wood Memorial a week later.

But whether or not Zulu runs in the Florida Derby, Nyquist’s trainer, Doug O’Neill, knows the colt’s coections haven’t chosen the easiest path to Louisville. Mohaymen, just like Nyquist, has a clean resume.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but like most races, we feel like we can win,” he said. “I’m sure the Mohaymen people feel that they can win, and the Zulu people feel that they can win, and there will be a few others. So it’s going to be a great race and hopefully everyone stays injury-free. I can’t wait for April 2. We’re real excited.”

With the matchup of the Big Two in advance of May 7, there’s also this added caveat, according to O’Neill.

“Not that the Kentucky Derby needs any more intrigue, but whatever happens April 2 could make the Derby even more exciting with a rematch type of thing,” he said.

The latest installment of our Kentucky Derby Top Five:

1. Nyquist >> The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile wier, unbeaten in six starts, will remain atop our rankings until someone can knock him off his perch. He seems to be improving steadily since that lackluster effort in the FrontRuer Stakes at Santa Anita last fall. All he does is win, which is a strong statement this time of year.

Next start: Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, April 2.

2. Mohaymen >> An easy victory in the Fountain of Youth served to only enhance the Tapit colt’s resume. He’s 2-0 in 2016, 5-0 for his career and headed in the right direction. “He’s doing great. He put on weight from when we brought him down here and he’s trained great,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

Next start: Florida Derby.

3. Danzing Candy >> Been bullish on this colt since watching him win an optional claimer by 5 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita on Feb. 4. After his two-length gate-to-wire win in last weekend’s San Felipe Stakes that included early splits of 22.97 and 46.11, jockey Mike Smith said, “If you go twenty-two on this track today, you’re smokin’. And for him to hold off the caliber of horses he held off was very impressive.”

Advertisement

Next start: Santa Anita Derby, April 9.

4. Mor Spirit >> Jockey Gary Stevens thinks the Eskendereya colt’s ruer-up finish behind Danzing Candy in the San Felipe set him up well for the Santa Anita Derby. Trainer Bob Baffert echoed Stevens’ thoughts. “I wanted to run first, second or third,” he said. “He’s coming on. A mile and an eighth will be more to his liking, but he got a lot out of it (San Felipe).”

Next start: Santa Anita Derby.

5. Zulu >> Finishing second, 2 1/4 lengths behind Mohaymen, is more of a badge of honor than a knock on the son of Beardini. Pletcher liked what he saw in the Fountain of Youth: “I thought he ran super,” he said. “He put in a formidable effort against a very good horse. I was proud of his effort.”

Next start: Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, April 9, or Wood Memorial, April 9.

• Airoforce and Exaggerator dropped out of our rankings, and Destin and Gun Ruer are pounding the back door trying to get in.

Follow Art Wilson on Twitter at @Sham73