Wathnan Racing's Commandment boosted his Kentucky Derby claims 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 fiercely contested and Commandment triumphed in a thrilling surface at Gulfstream Park when upgrading The Puma on the line to win by a nose.

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

Cox stated: "I thought he took a crack at. At the sixteenth pole, with the ground he was making up, I believed he reacted well. My mindset was ready, this is a great race and it's going to set him up for the Derby, win or lose. I'm delighted 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 also completed the double, but was disqualified from the Kentucky Derby following disturbance.

Commandment is now the 6-1 second preferred 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 began 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 success.

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

Pletcher said: "I'm very pleased. I enjoyed the method he finished. I'm very delighted for the Lows and Repoles."

It had 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 trip 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 actually been on his considering that winning the race last year, completing 2nd 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 ended up a reputable 4th in the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama in September before when again losing against 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 rear under Christophe Lemaire before letting loose a potent turn of foot and cutting down Win Carnelian, who Red Mon Reve then passed for 2nd.

" I was advised as soon as again of just how strong he truly is," Lemaire stated. "He took the bit himself when he turned into the straight, changed leads, and after that he revealed terrific speed.

" His start was good and he had the ability to get the position I wanted. I anticipated the rate to be fast, so I wasn't fretted at all on the middle position. He had the ability to catch 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 accomplished great outcomes overseas also. He has a lot of experience. His body is truly that of a sprinter. I think he'll have the ability to accomplish great results at Group 1 level once again this year."

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