Papi Chullo Tries to Ace Florida Derby

Greg Norman, the owner of Papi Chullo, who’s running today in the $1-million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, is not that Greg Norman, the golfer.

And Salvador Gonzalez, who trains Papi Chullo, is not that Salvador Gonzalez, the brother of trainer Paco Gonzalez and once the exercise rider for the formidable Free House.

Norman, who bought Papi Chullo for $135,000 at a Florida auction last year, is, unlike his famous namesake, not even a golfer.

“My brother Jerry, who’s my partner [in building schools in California], is the golfer,” the Agoura Hills horseman said. “He’s a scratch player, and has tried to qualify for the senior pro tour a couple of times. I’ve got the name, but he’s got the game.”

Papi Chullo’s trainer, this Salvador Gonzalez, is a former groom for Bob Baffert and more recently worked for another California trainer, Christy Foulting, before Norman hired him to train his stable.

“I had seen him around those other trainers and liked his work ethic,” said the San Diego-born Norman, who became what he calls “a racing junkie” after his father took him racing at Del Mar and Agua Caliente in Tijuana when he was a boy.

Norman could snare a non-golfing headline if Papi Chullo, a maiden, beats trainer Nick Zito’s favorites, High Fly and Noble Causeway, and six other rivals in the Florida Derby. In 53 years, a non-winner has never won the Kentucky Derby prep.

“We’ve run well -- and even finished ahead of -- some good horses,” Norman said. “Mike Smith, who rides in California, calls my colt ‘a supermaiden.’ I think we’re the horse to beat. And if we have enough money to qualify, we’ll go on to the Kentucky Derby. A mile and a quarter [the Derby distance] is what my horse wants to do.”

Papi Chullo was to have made his debut last summer at Del Mar, but sore shins kept him sidelined until December. His first start wasn’t in a sprint, it was at a mile, and it wasn’t in a maiden race, it was in a $54,000 stake at Golden Gate Fields. From 10 lengths behind, Papi Chullo rallied to finish fourth.

The gray colt’s next two races, this year, were at Santa Anita. He finished second against maidens at 1 1/16 miles, and was second again, behind Going Wild, in the Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. Going Wild will be one of the favorites in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct a week from today.

On March 5 at Gulfstream, Papi Chullo ran fourth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. High Fly won the race and B.B. Best, who ran third, also is in the field for the 1 1/8 -mile Florida Derby.

Papi Chullo, who’ll be ridden by Robby Albarado for the first time, is 8-1, co-fourth choice with B.B. Best, on the morning line.

“He had a terrible start in the Fountain of Youth,” Norman said. “He got squeezed coming out of the gate and fell 10 or 11 lengths behind on a speed-favoring track. He’s got good tactical speed, and we hope to lay closer to the pace this time. We’re attempting history, but I think the horse has the talent to do it.”

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Running for Roses

Contenders for the 131st Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs. Approximate race time, 3 p.m. PDT, Ch. 4

*--* HORSE TRAINER Afleet Alex Tim Ritchey Bandini Todd Pletcher Consolidator Wayne Lukas Fusaichi Rock Star Bob Baffert Giacomo John Shirreffs Greater Good Robert Holthus High Fly Nick Zito High Limit Robert Frankel Proud Accolade Todd Pletcher Rockport Harbor John Servis Sun King Nick Zito Wilko Craig Dollase Bellamy Road Nick Zito Closing Argument Kiaran McLaughlin Don’t Get Mad Ron Ellis Galloping Grocer Dominic Schettino Going Wild Wayne Lukas Noble Causeway Nick Zito Blues and Royals Saeed bin Suroor Survivalist Shug McGaughey

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