Girvin, Always Dreaming nab Derby prep races

an impressive win at the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and the Sharptrained Girvin prevailed in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Always Dreaming needed a big showing Saturday to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. So did Patch, another Pletcher-trainee who was running in the Louisiana Derby.

They both delivered, with Patch finishing second, and Pletcher now could ultimately have as many as five starters when the Triple Crown season starts on May 6. Pletcher has sent 45 horses to the Kentucky Derby so far in his career, three shy of the record owned by his mentor D. Wayne Lukas.

“It seems like a really strong group,” Pletcher said. “You have to appreciate these things.”

Girvin, the favorite, beat Patch by 1¼ lengths and was three lengths ahead of Local Hero — who might now be Kentucky-possible as well.

“Other than having my kids, I don’t know if there’s another feeling like that in the world,” owner Brad Grady said after watching Girvin prevail with a big stretch run.

This is the fifth time the Derby field will be decided by a system where the top four finishers in certain prep races collect points.

Values start small, with 10 points going to the winner and one for fourth place in the beginning of the prep season. Available point totals rise along the way and races like the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby are at the top level, 100 points to the winner. Four of those races remain, with the Wood, the Blue Grass and the Santa Anita Derby next Saturday and the Arkansas Derby on April 15. going 0 for 2 as a 2-yearold — coming in a maiden race and an allowance race. He wasn’t bothered. Ridden by John Velazquez, Always Dreaming got the lead at the top of the stretch and held off State of Honor and a hard-charging Gunnevera for the win. The plan all along for Always Dreaming’s connections — who include Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola — was to be patient and wait for the right spot, which became the Florida Derby.