Always Dreaming, Girvin get big wins

Todd Pletcher has sent more horses to the Kentucky Derby than almost anyone. Joe Sharp hasn't sent any. Yet both trainers were celebrating in much the same way Saturday.

The field for next month's Kentucky Derby came into more focus on Saturday, when the Pletcher-trained Always Dreaming posted an impressive win at the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and the Sharp-trained 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.

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

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.

Florida Derby

Always Dreaming had never been on a stage like this before, with both of his previous career wins — after going 0 for 2 as a 2-year-old — 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 hardcharging 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.

Louisiana Derby

Sharp's wife has been part of the Kentucky Derby three times. This year, it looks like his turn. Sharp trains Girvin, who had already done enough to qualify for a Kentucky Derby spot after winning the Risen Star back on Feb. 25. And Girvin left no doubt on Saturday, holding off Patch to win the Louisiana Derby.

Girvin finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.77.