With the Kentucky Derby prep races in their final few weeks, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the contenders for the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) on Saturday [March 27], a Derby points-qualifier offering 100-40-20-10 points to the first four finishers. Post-position and odds will be updated following Wednesday’s draw.
By Ed McNamara
He went from last to first to score by 4 3/4 lengths in his Nov. 19 debut, a 6 1/2-furlong race for Florida-bred maidens at Gulfstream Park West.
Ten weeks later, in his second start, Jirafales was given a nearly impossible assignment: the Grade 3 Holy Bull. He didn’t embarrass himself despite the massive class rise, finishing fifth, 17 lengths behind Greatest Honour at odds of 32-1. His next start was even tougher: the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, in which he ran fifth again, 10 lengths behind Greatest Honour, at odds of 106-1. Now he’s back in the Florida Derby (G1), completing a unique trifecta of unrealistic challenges.
This horse belongs in a preliminary allowance, not a major prep for the Kentucky Derby (G1). He’s being asked to take on a colt who’s beaten him by a combined 27 lengths.
Handicapping insight: No chance.
Florida Derby Contender Profile: Jirafales
Post position: TBD
Odds: TBD
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: TBD
Age: 3
Owner: OGMA Investments, Off The Hook LLC
Career record: 3-1-0-0
Career earnings: $35,910
Top Equibase speed figure: 86
Pedigree: Social Inclusion-Gran Pashita, by Horse Chestnut
Color: Bay
Running style: Closer
Notes: Gustavo Delgado trained four Triple Crown winners during a 30-year career in his native Venezuela. He pulled off an 11-1 upset with Bodexpress last November in the Grade 1 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs. Before the Clark, Bodexpress’ most memorable moment was as the riderless horse in the 2019 Preakness, when he threw John Velazquez leaving the gate and galloped around Pimlico as fans cheered him on … Delgado also won the Grade 1 Test Stakes with Paola Queen in 2016. He’s been based in South Florida since 2014 and has won 238 races.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning journalist who has been writing about thoroughbred racing for 35 years. He has handicapped races for ESPN.com, Newsday and The Record of New Jersey. He is the author of “Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown” and co-author of “The Most Glorious Crown,” a chronicle of the first 12 Triple Crown champions.
