Chief Wallabee Gets Favorite’s Role in G1 Florida Derby
At 0h02, on March 25, 2026 • By Gulfstream Park
Michael and Katherine Ball’s Chief Wallabee, the Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) runner-up last month in just his second start, was installed as the narrow 2-1 program favorite over eight rivals during Saturday’s post-position draw for the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa March 28 at Gulfstream Park.
The 75th running of the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby for 3-year-olds, which debuted in 1952 and has produced the winners of a remarkable 63 Triple Crown races, offers 200 qualifying points for the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.
A total of 10 stakes, five graded, worth $2.675 million in purses comprise a blockbuster 14-race Florida Derby Day program with a post time of 11:30 a.m. ET
The Florida Derby will feature three of the top four horses on Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch list – Chief Wallabee, Commandment and Nearly, respectively ranked second, third and fourth. Another Florida Derby contender, The Puma, is ranked 12th on the DRF list of 20, which mirrors the maximum number of Kentucky Derby starters.
Chief Wallabee will break from Post 2 under jockey Junior Alvarado, aboard for both of the bay son of 2014 Florida Derby winner Constitution’s two races. They came from off the pace to win a seven-furlong maiden special weight in debut Jan. 10, then rallied from far back to be beaten a neck in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth Feb. 28 while trying two turns for the first time.
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is seeking his first win in the Florida Derby. He ran second last year with eventual champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year Sovereignty.
