Florida Derby favorite schools at Gulfstream
At 0h01, on March 30, 2023 • By GULFSTREAM PARK
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Forte schooled in the Gulfstream Park paddock and walking ring during Race 6 on Wednesday’s program in preparation for his highly anticipated run in Saturday’s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa.
Forte has been installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite in a full field of 12 3-year-olds entered in the 1 1/8-mile Triple Crown prep.
“He looks great,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher with his eyes focused on the ever-so-cool Florida Derby favorite taking in his surroundings while circling the walking ring.
The Eclipse Award juvenile champion of 2022 schooled on back-to-back days prior to his impressive victory in the March 4 Fountain of Youth (G2). After watching the dark bay picture of a Thoroughbred’s schooling session, his trainer wasn’t sure if he would schedule another session.
“I was thinking the same thing right now. Being so good, I just might leave it at that,” Pletcher said. “We’ll see.”
