Fly So Free Heavy Choice in Florida Derby

Despite an early line that made Fly So Free the odds-on favorite, trainer Buddy Edwards says his Jackie Wackie will be the people’s choice in today’s Florida Derby.

Fly So Free, last year’s Eclipse Award winner, drew the No. 3 post position in a field of eight for the $500,000 Kentucky Derby prep race and is a 3-5 favorite on the morning line.

Jackie Wackie, the second choice at 5-2, drew the outside post for the 1 1/8-mile race.

Jackie Wackie, purchased along with two fillies by Gus DeMarinis for $80,000 last July, has a nine-race winning streak. Fly So Free trainer Scotty Schulhofer expects the gelding with the funny name to be his toughest competition.

“Any horse that has won nine in a row, you have to respect,” Schulhofer said. “He’s a good horse.”

Seven of Jackie Wackie’s victories have come at Calder Race Course, where he is stabled. Only a disqualification from first in a division of the Davie Stakes on Nov. 4 has marred his official record since his first victory last Aug. 25.

The only horse in the field that has beaten Fly So Free is Hansel, an 8-1 pick who will start from the seventh position. The rest of the field includes Strike The Gold, 12-1, starting second; Link, 15-1, starting sixth; Sir Bordeaux, 20-1, on the rail; Shoot to Kill, 20-1 starting fifth; and Man Alright, 30-1 starting fourth.