Dialed in Uses Long Distance to Win Florida Derby in Come From Behind Fashion

I just finished watching the 10th video replay of yesterday's Florida Derby and I see the same thing every time. Soldat was handled easily today and Dialed In is for real.

Soldat, The Fountain of Youth winner looked as though he was standing still as the field passed him heading down the stretch.

He started well and looked to be in good position to make a move. Jockey Alan Garcia gave him a good trip. He was on the rail and did not have to work to get out. He simply got beat by better horses today and unless something breaks about his health, now looks like a pretender headed to Churchill Downs.

One horse that should easily be considered a contender and could be the favorite at the Kentucky Derby if Uncle Mo should falter next weekend at the Wood Memorial is yesterday's winner, Dialed In.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Dialed In turned in a classic "Derby" like trip,coming from 14 lengths back to win the 60th running of the Florida Derby.

The Nick Zito trained colt used the field to perfection in winning by a nose. The extra distance the KY Derby will provide should be a huge plus for the best closing horse in all of the Derby prep races.

Owner Robert LaPenta told the Miami Herald, "He's a big, strappy horse. You know, he's got a lot of girth. He's got a lot of muscle. I think the Florida Derby will position him perfectly for the Kentucky Derby." (Miami Herald)

Trainer Nick Zito was a very happy man following the race and said, "He's a gift from God, It's amazing what he's done. It is amazing. It's a blessing how amazing this horse is—to do what this horse has done, to break his maiden at six and a half furlongs and, two months later, win the Holy Bull against proven horses. He's by Mineshaft, out of a good mare. It's a gift from God." (Miami Herald)

Props should also be given to the Bleacher Report readers of my article handicapping the Fla. Derby. Forty one percent of you (myself included) that responded to my poll picked Dialed In to win the race. Good Job.

During the race, track announcer Larry Collmus said Shackleford ran the race of his life but this was a talented field so at least for the moment he deserves the heads he turned today at Gulfstream. Shackleford was the longest shot on the board at 68-1 come post-time.

He will have some problems with the extra distance in May, not mention the fact there could as many as 13 additional horses in the field come the first Saturday in May.

After being destroyed by Soldat in the F.O.Y in February, Shackleford not Flashpoint set the quick 23.1-quarter mile and 46.5-half mile pace.

Flashpoint could not get to the lead and was never a factor in the race. To Honor and Serve was widely touted as the horse most likely to upset Uncle Mo heading into this spring, but many backed off the colt when he faded badly to finish a distant third in the Fountain of Youth.

He finished third again yesterday but this third place run was a lot more impressive than the F.O.Y third place finish. His name was on the board from start to finish and remains an improving horse headed to Kentucky.

It is safe to say that Dialed In did yesterday, what many predicted he would do, win coming from behind. It is also safe to say that while Shackleford was the biggest surprise of the day, he was not as much a surprise as Soldat was a huge disappointment.

Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo takes his turn this weekend when he will run in his last Derby prep race before heading to Church Hill Downs. He runs in the one million dollar Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on Saturday.

He will be the clear favorite as the undefeated champion makes his second start of 2011 on Saturday at Aquaduct. He won easily in the Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park on March 12.

In just 33 days Dialed In will look to become the 22nd Florida Derby winner to win the Kentucky Derby. The Last horse to do it was Big Brown in 2008.

Big Brown went on to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown. With his win today, Dialed In must be considered one of the horses to beat come May 7.