Audible runs away to win Florida Derby

Audible ran away in the stretch for a three-length victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on Saturday, further cementing himself as a serious contender for the Kentucky Derby.

An eight-week layoff was no problem for Audible, who will take a four-race winning streak into the Triple Crown campaign that starts at Churchill Downs on May 5. He finished the 1 ¹ /8 miles at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. in 1:49.48, and delivered the fifth Florida Derby win to both jockey John Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher.

And now, barring some sort of problem, it’s off to Churchill Downs.

“If he comes out of it well, that’s our goal,” Pletcher said.

Recent history says that Audible will now have a great chance at the Kentucky Derby. Each of the last two Florida Derby winners — Always Dreaming last year and Nyquist in 2016 — went on to win the Run for the Roses.

Hofburg was second, Mississippi took third and Catholic Boy — the second choice in the betting behind only Audible, who was sent off at 8-5 odds — was fourth.

Thunder Snow wins in Dubai

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thunder Snow stormed past race favorite West Coast to complete a stunning night for local stable Godolphin in the Dubai World Cup.

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Thunder Snow started from the widest post and triumphed by more than five lengths.

For trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, it was his eighth win in the $10 million main race.

West Coast, trained by three-time Dubai World Cup winner Bob Baffert, was second. His other horse Mubtaahij was third.

It was the fourth win of the night for Godolphin, owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.