Great move by El Padrino’s connections to take on Union Rags in the Florida Derby
Nobody in the country wants to run against the early favourite of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, Union Rags, at this time of the year, but owner Bryan Sullivan, who co-founded the Let’s Go Stable along with trainer Todd Pletcher decided that they should take
on Union Rags in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on 31 March, 2012, at about 1 1/8 miles.
After winning the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the connections could have chosen a different path to the Kentucky Derby by staying at Fair Grounds Race Course and run in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, but it owner
Bryan Sullivan said that if there was a right time to face Union Rags it is now.
"I think staying home was the driving force behind it," said Sullivan. "You know, it's a million dollars; they're both million dollar races (the Louisiana and Florida Derbies). It's a grade I which had some weight as well, but at the end of the day, we figured,
hey, our horse loves Gulfstream Park.”
The Todd Pletcher trained colt is a Kentucky bred and the son of Pulpit, out of mare Enchanted Rock by Giant’s Causeway, El Padrino has amassed $200,000 in graded stakes earnings, and he is nearly there to gain a spot in the Kentucky Derby while he is sitting
pretty at 14th on the race’s eligibility list.
1 1/8 mile being right up his alley, El Padrino is sent as the 2 to 1 favourite to win the Florida Derby.
"He kind of runs to his competition and we just think that when we looked at how he came out of the (Risen Star), not shipping, maybe a shorter field, and taking on Union Rags, this was the best spot for him. Now, we'd love to win on Saturday. I don't think
we have to, but I think we got a big shot."
El Padrino has started once at Gulfstream Park, but in that lone race he raced like a pro for a young horse. In the allowance race at Gulfstream Park, he sat behind horses and when he was asked to go he found a second win at cruised past opponents to down
the race.
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