Only one Kentucky Derby in the 21st century has been run without a horse trained by Todd Pletcher. There will not be a second in 2021.
The two-time Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner made his way back to the main event on Saturday when St. Elias Stable’s homebred Known Agenda finished best to win the Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and collect 100 qualifying points for this year's Kentucky Derby.
Known Agenda and Irad Ortiz Jr saved ground throughout while racing in mid-pack in an 11-horse field, angled out to draw into striking position on the second turn, then outran Soup and Sandwich in the stretch to win by 2 3/4-lengths. The winning time for 1 1/8-miles on a fast track was 1:49.45.
“The instructions were to try and stay as close as I can without going too crazy and start working my way out and put the horse in the clear outside," Ortiz said. "I saw a couple horses outside of me and I had to take a hold to go around. I said it was too much, so I just followed the flow of the race. I had to go to the rail and it worked out great. When I took him out he started rolling.”
Soup and Sandwich, who was making his stakes debut for trainer Mark Casse, earned 40 points and a potential spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate by running second. He was followed across the wire by odds-on favourite Greatest Honour (20 points) and Nova Rags (10).
By Curlin out of the Byron mare Byrama, Known Agenda paid US$12.80 as the third choice in the wagering.
“He’s a horse that reminds us a lot of [2019 Breeders' Cup Classic winner] Vino Rosso," Pletcher said. "Personality-wise, obviously being a chestnut son of Curlin, but he’s taken a little while to kind of put everything together. We kept seeing talent in the mornings that he wasn’t necessarily displaying in the afternoon but we knew it was there."
This is a record sixth Florida Derby win for Pletcher. He will now take aim at a third Kentucky Derby win on May 1 at Churchill Downs with Known Agenda after previously winning with Always Dreaming in 2017 and Super Saver in 2010. The only Kentucky Derby this century without a Pletcher starter came in 2003.
“It has so many great meanings, but for me what is so special about this is to win it for St. Elias with a horse that they bred," Pletcher said. "I know how much that means to them, that makes it a little more extra special for us.”
As for Greatest Honour, he was buried down inside for much of the race before mounting a mild bid to get third. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey appeared to take the defeat in stride.
“I thought he ran fine," McGaughey said. "I think the winner ran a huge race. I’d have rather had a position a little closer and on the outside. When he couldn’t kind of outrun them going into the first turn, (Jose Ortiz) dropped him in there. But, he said he handled the kickback fine so we’ll pack up and make sure he’s OK and move forward.”
Fellow Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse indicated it would likely be on to the Kentucky Derby for Soup and Sandwich if the 40 points prove enough.
“I was very pleased, especially if he ever learns what he’s doing," Casse said. "[Jockey] Johnny [Velazquez] said he had to fight with him a little. He stayed on his left lead all the way down the stretch. He’s like that in the morning, too. The thing that will help him is it was a little difficult to ship him down from Palm Meadows. It got him a little worked up. He’ll run a lot better out of his stall at Churchill Downs.”
Known Agenda earned his diploma last fall. He edged Greatest Honour by a head at Aqueduct going 1 1/8-miles on Nov. 8 and came back to be a well-beaten third behind Brooklyn Strong in the Dec. 5 Remsen (G3) at the same distance. After a disappointing fifth in the Sam F. Davis (G3) in his sophomore bow, the son of Curlin aired by 11 lengths when adding blinkers and Lasix in an entry-level allowance going 1 1/8-miles at Gulfstream on Feb. 26. While the blinkers stayed on Saturday, Known Agenda was without Lasix, per the Kentucky Derby qualifying rules.
"John Velazquez had ridden him in the Sam Davis and his recommendation was to put blinkers on him," Pletcher said. "I credit Johnny a lot for that, for making the recommendation. In Johnny’s case, he had some commitments out of town during the time that the horse was winning the allowance race. So Irad picked up the mount and fit him perfectly and ridden him great both times.”
