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Florida Derby Contenders 2021: Collaborate

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 Margaret Ransom

Collaborate faces a stiff challenge in his first start against winners after breaking his maiden in his second career outing by a massive yet geared down 12 ½ lengths over this track a month ago.

The son of leading sire Into Mischief also holds the distinction of not having started as a juvenile as he didn’t debut for owners Three Chimneys Farm and e Five Racing until Feb. 6, but his maiden victory showed his connections he earned the right to roll the dice against more seasoned runners in the Florida Derby (G1).

On Sunday [March 21], Collaborate breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.18 for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. in his final prep for Florida’s signature Kentucky Derby (G1) prep. He went in company with Royal Delta Stakes (G3) winner Queen Nekia, who posted a final time of 1:02.49.

“The first eighth he went off a little slow in :14 and change and picked it up after that,” Joseph said. “He galloped out well for the next eighth after the wire. Overall, I’m very pleased with the work. I’m happy with him.”

Florida Derby Contenders 2021: Collaborate

Post position: TBD

Odds: TBD

Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Owner: Three Chimneys Farm, e Five Racing Thoroughbreds

Age: 3

Career record: 2-1-1-0

 

Career earnings: $27,400

Top Equibase speed figure: 97

Pedigree: Into Mischief-Quiet Temper, by Quiet American

Color: Bay

Running style: Front-runner

Notes: Colt was purchased for $600,000 by bloodstock agent Mike Ryan at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga Yearling Sale in 2019 … Dam Quiet Temper broke her maiden as a juvenile in the Delta Princess Stakes (G3) and was a Grade 2 winner as a 3-year-old … Quiet Temper also has a 2-year-old yet unnamed Gun Runner filly and was bred back to Gun Runner for a 2021 foal.

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