Gulfstream Park

Manny Franco, currently the leading rider at Aqueduct’s winter meet, has picked up the mount on morning-line favorite Sovereignty for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, trainer Bill Mott said Tuesday afternoon.

Trainer Brad Cox didn’t hesitate when asked about his plans for Tappan Street moving forward following his second-place finish in the Grade 3 Holy Bull here on Feb. 1.  He immediately declared his intention to skip the Fountain of Youth and train his lightly raced Kentucky Derby candidate up to the $1 million Florida Derby eight weeks later. 

Despite a less than desirable post-position draw and the loss of his regular rider due to injury earlier in the week, Sovereignty is expected to go postward a solid choice to add Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park to his victory here four weeks earlier in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.