Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner El Padrino breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 March 18 at Palm Meadows Training Center for trainer Todd Pletcher as he approaches a start in the upcoming $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park.
Early Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) Union Rags leads the prospective field for the March 31 Florida Derby.
El Padrino worked in company with stablemate Our Entourage, an optional claiming winner Feb. 25 at Gulfstream for Repole Stable. Our Entourage was credited with the same time as El Padrino, which was tied for third fastest of 13 at the distance.
“It was a very good work with a strong gallop out,” Pletcher said in reference to El Padrino, a chestnut colt by Pulpit. El Padrino, owned by Let's Go Stable, was an impressive allowance winner over the Gulfstream track on Jan. 29 before he shipped to New Orleans to win the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Feb. 25. He has breezed twice at Palm Meadows since that effort.
Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence’s News Pending, runner-up to Union Rags at 27-1 in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 26, breezed five furlongs at Gulfstream in 1:02 2/5 March 18 for trainer Dale Romans.
The trainer is considering the Florida Derby as one of several options for the son of Harlan's Holiday.
