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It was not as straight forward as his other wins.

Forte had a rough passage through the field in the Florida Derby but once into the clear when it looked like it was all over he found his stride and his rhythm and went on to overtake Mage and win by a length.  One imagines he will go straight to Kentucky now as he really doesn't need to do anymore.  This race will have been a good prep for meeting a 20 horse field at Churchill Downs.  Cyclone Mischief was third home at 13/1.

Earlier Therapist at 9/2 won the Pan American on the turf from Bay Street Money and the Chilean-bred Mater Piece.

The Gulfstream Park Oaks went to the Motion-trained Affirmative Lady 17/2 with Luis Saez riding from Sacred Wish 9/1 and Flakes.

It was a great day out for the Ortiz brothers who managed to win 10 of the races on the card – 4 to Jose Lis and 6 to Irad.  Not a bad day for Pletcher either who saddled 4 winners.

Over at Oaklawn Park which must have been the only place in Arkansas to have power after the awful storms that ripped through, we had the Arkansas Derby.  This was a soft win for Brad Cox's Angel of Empire 5/1 with Prat riding.  Second home King Russell was not a bad run but still 4 ½ length behind the winner and West Coast raider Reincarnate ran third.