Derby field expands

Eleven entrants vying for $1 million purse on Saturday.

HALLANDALE — The Florida Derby lost a bit in quality when Fountain of Youth runner-up Practical Joke’s trainer Chad Brown opted to run in the Blue Grass Stakes next week. However, his absence probably increased the quantity of the field at Wednesday’s post-position draw.

Eleven were entered, although no more than 10 are expected to run in the Grade 1 event, which in addition to a $1 million purse carries 170 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. A week ago, only seven or eight entrants were expected.

The expanded field did no favors for Fountain of Youth winner Gunnevera, who drew the extreme outside post for the 11⁄8-mile stakes, which entails a short run to the first turn. Often horses on the outside are forced wide around the turn, losing considerable ground. Nevertheless, Gunnevera was established as the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

His trainer, Antonio Sano, feels post position won’t be an issue. “No problem — my horse runs in the back anyway,” he said.

This should allow jockey Javier Castellano to ease over toward the inside and save

ground. Gunnevera was 10th and last early in the Fountain of Youth, more than a dozen lengths off the pace and rallied to win by almost six lengths.

The draw also wasn’t kind to Three Rules, who was third in the Fountain of Youth and defeated Gunnevera twice when they were 2-year-olds. Three Rules, who swept last summer’s three-race Florida Sire Stakes series, will start just inside Gunnevera with saddle cloth No. 10.

Three Rules set the pace in the Fountain of Youth but his trainer, Jose Pinchin, said that with a lot of earlyspeed horses inside him, he might not be in front this time. “He doesn’t need the lead. He won here from off the pace last year.”

Gunnevera and Three Rules should move in one gate position apiece since Battalion Runner, who drew post 9, is expected to scratch. Trainer Todd Pletcher entered Battalion Runner and Always Dreaming but said his plan is to run Always Dreaming, who is 2 for 2 this winter, for his first attempts around two turns.

Always Dreaming, whose ownership team includes Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola, will start from No. 4 as the morning line 4-1 third choice. He will likely inherit the role of early second choice from Battalion Runner, who is listed at 3-1.

The draw was advantageous for State of Honor, second and third in Tampa Bay stakes this winter. He will start from the rail and is listed at 8-1.

Impressive Edge, 12-1 on the morning line, also figures to be on or near the lead coming out of a couple of sprint wins in three starts this winter.

The rest of the entrants are listed at 30-1 or more, a fair reflection of their chances based on past performances. No. 2 Talk Logistics (30-1) was fourth in the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth. Charlie the Greek (No. 3, 50-1) is winless in six starts in 2017 while racing primarily in claiming races. Quinientos

(No. 5, 50-1) has won once in nine career starts. Coleman Rocky (No. 6, 30-1) has one win in five starts and that was on grass. Unbridled Holiday (No. 7, 30-1) has only a win in a race restricted to Florida-breds in seven lifetime starts.

The Florida Derby will be the final race on a marathon 14-race program, which starts at noon with the Derby expected to go off a few minutes before 7 p.m.