Senor Swinger on Schedule for Florida Derby

Trainer Mickey Goldfine worked his undefeated 3-year-old Senor Swinger on Monday and the roan colt was timed in 1:01 4/5 breezin five furlongs. It was just what Goldfine wanted and he said that Senor Swinger is on schedule for the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) to be run at 1 1/8 miles on March 15.

"I was very pleased with his workout," Goldfine said. "He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5 and seven-eighths in 1:28 and change. He did everything easy and I'd say right now if everything continues to go well then he'll run in the Florida Derby."

Senor Swinger is undefeated in two career starts. He was an impressive winner in his maiden start at Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago on Dec. 4. The roan colt came from off the pace to win going away by 6 1/2 lengths in that 1-1/16 mile test. Senor Swinger then turned in a bang-up effort in an allowance race full of promising 3-year-olds at Gulfstream on Jan. 31.

With Edgar Prado riding, Senor Swinger came from off the pace to get the lead then fought back gamely when challenged by Ten Cents A Shine and finished in a dead-heat for the win with that rival in the 1 1/16 miles event.

"I knew last fall after he won his first start that he was a special horse," Goldfine said. "I could see then that he wasn't going to be a sprinter and that maybe he was the big horse we've been looking for."

Offlee Wild To Miss Florida Derby
Offlee Wild, the winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park, most likely won't be running in the Florida Derby, according to trainer T. V. Smith.

"He got sick," Smith said. "My groom noticed he wasn't looking right last Friday and took his temperature. He told me it was 104 so I called in the veterinarian. The vet said he has a bacterial infection. Today (Wednesday) was the first day that I had him out of his stall and he's still listless."

Offlee Wild was an unknown going into the 1 1/16 miles Holy Bull on Jan. 18. After finishing fourth in his career debut at Keeneland, he broke his maiden by five lengths at Churchill Downs on Oct. 27. He then was second behind the speedy Rojo Toro in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race at that same track on Nov. 17.

Offlee Wild turned in a powerful effort to win the Holy Bull. Breaking from post 9, he stalked three wide, rallied to gain the lead and was fully extended to win by a head. In his subsequent effort, the 1-1/16 mile Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 15, Offlee Wild raced four wide and failed to rally in the stretch and finished fourth.

"It's highly unlikely he'll be able to make the Florida Derby," Smith said. "Even if he suddenly got to be 100 % he's probably missed too much training. We'll have to take it a day at the time and the last thing I want to do is push or rush him."