Derby Play

Gunnover over Hense -155

Should be Gunnevera over Hense -155

Gunnevera will look to turn the tables on Always Dreaming after a third place finish in the Florida Derby for trainer Antonio Sano, who was kidnapped twice in his native Venezuela before coming to south Florida.

Gunnevera came into this year with plenty of foundation under his belt. A three time winner as a juvenile, including scores in the G2 Saratoga Special and G3 Delta Jackpot, he had run six times in all before hitting the track this year in the G2 Holy Bull, his first start in 10 weeks. Irish War Cry was left alone on the front end, a development that usually doesn’t bode well for a deep closer like Gunnevera, but he still put in a mild late rally to finish second.

Things went a bit differently in the Fountain of Youth. Three Rules, being chased this time by Irish War Cry, went a quick :47 second opening half-mile and the racetrack seemed to be playing favorably for horses coming from off the pace. Gunnevera took supreme advantage. Castellano turned him loose approaching the far turn and stormed past the embattled leader at the top of the stretch in route to a widening, daylight victory.

It was evident early on the card that Gulfstream reverted to its speed-favoring ways on Florida Derby Day, a bad sign for the 11-10 favorite. Sure, Gunnevera got plenty of pace ton at but couldn’t muster any better than a third place finish despite putting in his patented late rally.

Did that win?

Yes it did.

Bit underwhelming!!! Think the best horse in that race was Classic Empire. Massive pace bias imo with the drying surface making it much quicker than the normal tiring standard. It was a rough race and I thought jockeys cannot head for the rails straight from the break??? The outside horses all did so and carved up the middle drawn!!