What is the Florida Derby?
The Florida Derby is a prominent Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
It is a major event on the road to the Kentucky Derby, offering qualifying points to top finishers. Open to three-year-old horses, the race is contested over a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on dirt and has been a stepping stone for many Kentucky Derby champions.
When does the Florida Derby take place in 2026?
The 2026 Florida Derby is scheduled to take place on March 28th. It serves as one of the final prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, positioning it as a critical event for horses aiming to secure a spot in the Run for the Roses.
Florida Derby Winners
Among the most notable Florida Derby winners is Spectacular Bid (1979), a Hall of Fame inductee who then captured the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Barbaro (2006) also stands out: he entered the Kentucky Derby undefeated and, after a Florida Derby victory, went on to win the Derby itself, only to suffer a tragic injury in the Preakness. Nyquist (2016) continued the tradition of Florida Derby winners excelling on the national stage by winning the Kentucky Derby.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tappan Street | Luis Saez | Brad Cox | 1:49.27 |
| 2024 | Fierceness | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:48.22 |
| 2023 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:49.37 |
| 2022 | White Abarrio | Tyler Gaffalione | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | 1:50.64 |
| 2021 | Known Agenda | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:49.45 |
| 2020 | Tiz the Law | Manny Franco | Barclay Tagg | 1:50.00 |
