Off as the 2-1 favorite from a morning line of 6-1, Repole Stable’s SPANSIVE (f, 3, Karakontie {Jpn}–Fleur de Cerise, by Bernardini) was given a well-judged ride from the front by Jose Ortiz and had something left to graduate nicely on debut in the Curlin Florida Derby day lid-lifter at Gulfstream Park. Nicely into stride and asked for just enough speed to make the lead, the dark bay took them through an opening quarter in a modest :25.27 and controlled things through a half in :49.50 while taking token pressure from Millennium Park (Curlin), who was trying the turf for the first time. Fellow firster Gloria’s Princess (Cairo Prince), bet in half from her morning line of 12-1, rolled up outside the top two in upper stretch after stalking the pace from third and looked to have all the momentum, but given the race shape, Spansive had plenty to offer in the final furlong and reported home about a 1 1/2-length winner. The winner is out of a daughter of Cotton Blossom (Broken Vow), who was trained by this conditioner to win the 2007 GI Acorn S. Sales history: $20,000 Ylg ’21 KEESEP; $145,000 2yo ’22 OBSJUN. O-Repole Stable; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd (KY); T-Todd Pletcher.
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