Florida Derby 2024

The Florida Derby, a nine-furlong race held at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., is one of the premier Kentucky Derby prep races for contenders held each spring. It is typically held on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April. The Grade 1 race is worth $1 million and is open to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Although fillies may run, the Florida Derby Field is typically made up of colts and geldings.

First run in 1952, winning Florida Derby horses have scored in 15 Kentucky Derby victories. The Florida Derby was a leading prep race of the most recent decade, producing horse racing contenders Orb, Nyquist, and Always Dreaming, as well as Maximum Security who crossed the finish line first in 2019 before disqualification.

Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez lead the pack in terms of Florida Derby wins; Pletcher has six victories andVelazquez five. Tiz the Law, who won the race in 2020, went on to take the Belmont Stakes, while 2007 hero Scat Daddy sired 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify.

The Florida Derby card has become one of the strongest for entries on the entire calendar each year. Gulfstream Park runs 10 stakes races, five graded, for purses totaling more than $2.4 million. The Grade 2, $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks on the same card is a leading Kentucky Oaks prep.