Mark Costello

11.48 EXPRESSBET.COM FLORIDA DERBY (GRADE 1) of $1 MILLION. 1m 1f DIRT.

What’s the most important race taking place anywhere this weekend? It’s undoubtedly the Florida Derby which sees a clash between the two favourites for the Kentucky Derby, Mohaymen and Nyquist. The pair have won all 11 of their combined starts.

Usually colts of this calibre would be kept apart until the first Saturday in May but connections of Nyquist have been lured from California to Miami by a $1 million bonus on offer for any Fasig-Tipton ‘breeze-up’ graduate who can win the Florida Derby.

Trained by Doug O’Neill for Reddam Racing, Nyquist won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last October by half a length at Keeneland. He won his sole start this season, a Grade 2 at Santa Anita, at odds-on. The son of Uncle Mo is expected to race on or close to the lead tonight but will have to run a personal best to hold off the expected late challenge of Mohaymen.

Kiaran McLaughlin trains this son of Tapit for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stable. The grey colt was kept away from Grade 1 company as a two-year-old but won twice at Grade 2 level on the New York circuit. This spring he has moved to Florida and was deeply impressive in winning both the Holy Bull and the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream, two acknowledged Derby trials.

Bookmakers make Mohaymen the evens favourite with Nyquist a close second choice at 6/5.

Surprisingly eight other horses will take their chance, giving a strong field of 10. Third favourite at 15/1 is Fellowship, who has been beaten six lengths by Mohaymen twice this year already.

Selection: MOHAYMEN

Next best: Nyquist

Card on page B37