Pulpit Has Everything, Including No. 2 Post

Other horsemen indicated that they were running for second-place money at best Wednesday as Pulpit, the 3-5 morning-line favorite, drew the No. 2 post position in an eight-horse field for Saturday’s $500,000 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

“We’ve all but conceded this race to Pulpit,” said Cot Campbell, manager of the Dogwood Stable syndicate that will run 20-1 shot Jack Flash on Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, the first of the major preps for the Kentucky Derby on May 3, has produced four of the last seven winners at Churchill Downs.

Arthur L., a horse who might have challenged Pulpit for the lead, was knocked out of the Florida Derby last weekend because of a tendon injury that has sidelined him indefinitely.

“I was sorry to see that,” said Gary Capuano, who trains Captain Bodgit, third choice Saturday at 5-1. “Now Pulpit will have everything his own way.”

Captain Bodgit, who comes from off the pace, rallied from 17 lengths behind in the Fountain of Youth Stakes here three weeks ago, finishing third to Pulpit, beaten by two lengths. Blazing Sword, who finished second, is missing the Florida Derby because of a colon obstruction.

The many accolades for Pulpit are based on only three races, but this is all it has taken to make the Claiborne Farm colt the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Before the Fountain of Youth, Pulpit, who didn’t race as a 2-year-old, beat maidens by 7 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream in January, then in February coasted home by 6 3/4 lengths in an allowance race. He finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Blazing Sword in the Fountain of Youth, which was 110 yards shorter than Saturday’s race.

“I’ve never seen a horse get all this publicity for only three starts,” said Dell Hancock, whose family runs Claiborne Farm. “The Fountain of Youth was a relief for us all. We didn’t know what he was going to do, because it was the first time he hadn’t raced on the lead. But when he took the lead, I thought, ‘Oh boy, he’s for real.’ ”

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The Draw

The field for Saturday’s $500,000 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. All horses carry 122 pounds:

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PP Horse Jockey Odds 1. Acceptable Bailey 4-1 2. Pulpit Sellers 3-5 3. Michelle’sallhands Krone 15-1 4. Captain Bodgit Solis 5-1 5. Frisk Me Now King 20-1 6. Jack Flash Perret 20-1 7. Wrightwood Bravo 20-1 8. Hurry The Dance Boulanger 10-1