Scat Daddy - Kentucky Derby Contender

SCAT DADDY

Pedigree: Johannesburg - Love Style (Mr. Prospector)

Owner: James Scatuorchio, Michael Tabor

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Front    Side  R Side

$19.95

SCAT DADDY WINS THE FLORIDA DERBY

Scat Daddy pulled away in the stretch for a 1¼-length victory over Notional in the $1 million race at Gulfstream Park on Saturday and moved into the role as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby in five weeks.

In the Fountain of Youth four weeks ago, Scat Daddy beat Stormello by a scant nose in a photo finish. This time, there was no doubt as Scat Daddy won for the fifth time in eight starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won five races on the Gulfstream card.

Stormello finished fourth after setting the early pace.

Scat Daddy won't race again until the Derby on May 5, and will try to duplicate Barbaro's feat of sweeping the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. Until Barbaro, the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby off a layoff of five weeks or more was Needles in 1956.

Ridden for the first time by Edgar Prado — who had six winners on the day — Scat Daddy moved into the lead on the turn for home and was never seriously threatened. Notional, winner of the Risen Star in his last start, made a brief run but was no match for the 3-year-old colt owned by James Scatuorchio and Michael Tabor.

Pletcher was in Dubai on Saturday, where his best finish with five starters was second with Friendly Island in the Golden Shaheen. John Velazquez, Scat Daddy's regular rider, also was in Dubai.

The wining time for the 1 1-8 miles was 1:49.

Scat Daddy, the 2-1 favorite in the field of nine, returned $6.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Notional, trained by Doug O'Neill, paid $4.20 and $3 and Chelokee returned $3.80.

Chelokee's third-place finish was a disappointment for Michael Matz, who trained Barbaro and was hoping to return to the Derby again. However, Chelokee needed to finish first or second to have enough graded stakes earnings to make the field if more than 20 horses enter.

Boogie Boggs was fifth, followed by Imawildandcrazyguy, Birdbirdistheword, Adore the Gold and Johannesburg Star.

The win was worth $600,000, and boosted Scat Daddy's earning to $1,334,300.

Scatuorchio, a retired Wall Street trader from New Jersey, bought Scat Daddy for $250,000 as a yearling. He gave a half-interest to Pletcher and his father, J.J. Pletcher named the horse for Scatuorchio, then sold his share to Tabor.

The son of Johannesburg has piled up quite a Derby resume. The bay colt won the Sanford and the Champagne as a 2-year-old, then captured the Fountain of Youth before Saturday's big payday.