by Mike Curry

Scat Daddy cemented his status as a leading Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) contender on Saturday at Gulfstream Park with a convincing 1 1/4-length victory in the $1-million Florida Derby (G1).

Stormello, Adore the Gold, and Johannesburg Star finished behind Scat Daddy when he won the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on March 3. The trio returned to take another shot at the Johannesburg colt in the Florida Derby but the outcome did not change.

“This is very special because he is a son of Johannesburg,” said co-owner Michael Tabor, who campaigned 2001 champion two-year-old male Johannesburg in partnership with Susan Magnier and races Scat Daddy in partnership with James Scatuorchio. “He was very special to us, and this one was obviously very special as well. Now it’s on to Kentucky. We know the five weeks leading up to it can work after last year, and we look forward to it.”

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Scat Daddy stalked pacesetter Stormello from third, just behind Swale Stakes (G2) winner Adore the Gold, along the backstretch and into the final turn in the 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-olds.

Stormello was confronted first by Adore the Gold on the far turn as Scat Daddy charged into contention from three wide approaching the stretch. Adore the Gold, fourth in the Fountain of Youth, checked out at the top of the stretch and Scat Daddy took aim at Stormello, who was beaten by a nose in the Fountain of Youth.

Scat Daddy powered to the front from the outside under jockey Edgar Prado and held off a late rush from Risen Star (G3) and San Rafael (G2) Stakes winner Notional. He completed the distance in 1:49 on a fast main track.

“He broke good and settled into his stride galloping along,” Prado sad. “When I pushed the pedal, he was ready to go.”

Chelokee closed eagerly from the far outside to take third, three-quarters of a length behind Notional. Chelokee is trained by Michael Matz, who won the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby last year with Barbaro.

Barbaro became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby off a five-week layoff since Needles in 1956. Scat Daddy will attempt to duplicate that feat on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Stormello faded in the final furlong and dropped back to fourth while Adore the Gold failed to fire in the stretch while finishing eighth.

Bred in Kentucky by Axel Wend, Scat Daddy is out of the Mr. Prospector mare Love Style. He improved to five wins in eight starts and increased his earnings to $1,334,300.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor