Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Force is set to enter Saturday’s $125,000 Tropical Park Derby at Gulfstream Park with an almost flawless record. Trainer Michael Trombetta describes him as a horse that integrates well with the group, consistently giving his best performance every race.
The main attraction on Saturday’s 11-race card is the Tropical Park Derby, a turf race of 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old horses, alongside the $125,000 Tropical Park Oaks, also a turf race over 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies.
Souper Force, a homebred Laoban gelding, has claimed victories at three distinct racetracks. He debuted strongly at Presque Isle Downs on a synthetic six-furlong course in August, then successfully moved up to a mile on grass at Colonial Downs. His standout moment was an 18-1 upset win in the Showing Up Stakes at Gulfstream Park in November, where he surged from behind to clinch the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes.
Trombetta praises Souper Force as a remarkable and pleasant surprise for his consistent performance. The horse secured the far outside post among 12 qualifiers and boasts eight wins with only one loss. Cipriano Gil will return as the jockey, having previously had success with another Live Oak Plantation horse, Super Blessing.
Arindell’s Tank returns to Gulfstream Park after winning consecutive races before competing at Saratoga. After strong performances in earlier races, including the Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay and turf wins at the Royal Palm Meet, Tank faced tougher competition at Saratoga, finishing just off the pace in several significant races. Trainer Carlos David plans to give him some rest before his next outings, with jockey Emisael Jaramillo riding again.
Chapman’s Peak, trained by Brad Cox, comes into the race with a record of five wins and two losses. After a close second in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, the Godolphin homebred aims to build on his previous successes, including a win at Kentucky Downs and a Keeneland Trophy victory. Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard for the first time.
Sackatoga Stable’s Tiz Dashing is ranked second on the morning line with seven wins and two losses. A son of 2020 Florida Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Tiz The Law, he recently won the Hill Prince Stakes at Aqueduct. Hall of Famer Javier Castellano will take over riding duties from trainer Barclay Tagg.
Church and State, owned by Dominic DiLara and trained by Steve Owens, will face off against Tiz Dashing again after placing third in the Hill Prince. Micah Husband will debut as the jockey.
Calumet Farm’s Candytown, rated 8-1 on the morning line along with Church and State, Souper Force, and Tank, comes off a traffic-impeded race where he finished fourth but showed promise. Jockey Edgardo Zayas will ride the Speightstown colt, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher.
Other contenders include Kevin Doyle’s Layabout (10-1), Adele Dillschneider’s and Claiborne Farm’s Simulation (12-1), and James Connor’s Day and Age (20-1). Trainer Mark Casse notes the toughness of the field, emphasizing the importance of a good racing trip for Day and Age.
Completing the field are Duster Racing’s Thundering (20-1), Lawson Racing’s Roar of the Beast (20-1), and Eduardo Soto’s Discrete Dancer (30-1), with Joseph Allen LLC’s McClavin (20-1) also eligible.
Fan Take: This exciting lineup in the Tropical Park Derby highlights emerging talent in the turf racing scene, making it a compelling event for fans eager to spot future stars. The race showcases the depth and diversity of competitive young horses, promising thrilling finishes and a boost to the sport’s popularity.
