Wathnan Racing's Commandment enhanced his Kentucky Derby declares after stroking late to land a thrilling Grade 1 Florida Derby on Saturday night.

Often thought about the most important trial for the 'Run for the Roses', this year's Florida Derby was hotly objected to and Commandment came out on top in a thrilling surface at Gulfstream Park when revamping The Puma on the line to win by a nose.

The Brad Cox-trained colt won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at the track last month and tuned up for Churchill Downs with a strong staying efficiency under Flavien Prat.

Cox stated: "I believed he took a crack at. At the sixteenth pole, with the ground he was comprising, I thought he reacted well. My frame of mind was ready, this is an excellent race and it's going to set him up for the Derby, win or lose. I'm happy we came out on the right end."

The last horse to win the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby was Always Dreaming in 2017. The 2019 Florida Derby winner Maximum Security likewise finished the double, but was disqualified from the Kentucky Derby following disturbance.

Commandment is now the 6-1 second favourite for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 behind 9-2 market leader Renegade, who impressed in his trial when burning away with the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.

Held up by Irad Ortiz jr, Renegade started to circle the field on the home turn and revealed a potent turn of foot to run down Silent Tactic and protect a four-length victory.

Like Commandment, the colt is by leading American sire Into Mischief. He is trained by Todd Pletcher - who is now the race's most effective fitness instructor on 6 wins - for owners Robert and Lawana Low and Mike Repole.

Pletcher stated: "I'm super pleased. I enjoyed the way he finished. I'm extremely delighted for the Lows and Repoles."

It had actually currently been an impactful weekend on the Kentucky Derby front, with the UAE Derby initially and second Wonder Dean and Six Speed set to make the journey to Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby (Churchill Downs, May 2).
bet365: 9-2 Renegade, 6 Commandment, 8 Chief Wallabee, The Puma, 12 Nearly, 16 Class President, Danon Bourbon, Emerging Market, Silent Tactic, 20 bar.

Sprint ace Reve catches Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Last year's QEII Jubilee Stakes runner-up Satono Reve made it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo.

The Japanese sprinter had been on his travels given that winning the race in 2015, ending up second to Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman's Sprint Prize before filling the exact same position behind Lazzat at Ascot.

The admirable seven-year-old completed a reputable 4th in the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama in September before once again coming up short versus Ka Ying Rising in the Hong Kong Sprint in December, when he was ninth.

He was back to his finest on home turf as he settled towards the back under Christophe Lemaire before releasing a powerful turn of foot and trimming down Win Carnelian, who Red Mon Reve then passed for second.

" I was advised once again of simply how strong he truly is," Lemaire stated. "He took the bit himself when he turned into the straight, altered leads, and then he revealed terrific speed.

" His start was good and he was able to get the position I wanted. I anticipated the speed to be quick, so I wasn't stressed at all on the middle position. He was able to capture his breath at the corner, so he was able to run in his own rhythm."

On Satono Reve's standing, he stated: "He's a high-level sprinter and he's achieved great outcomes overseas also. He has a lot of experience. His body is genuinely that of a sprinter. I believe he'll be able to accomplish excellent outcomes at Group 1 level once again this year."

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