Three-year-old Bárbaro, mounted by Peruvian Edgar Prado, led the 55th edition of the Florida Derby held at Gulfstream Park in Florida. The 1,800 meters race, with eleven three-year-old participants, had a $1 million dollars prize, plus the chance to take part in the Kentucky Derby next May 6 in Churchill Downs.

Bárbaro, Dynaformer’s son, kept the second position all along the race, passing Sharp Humor only the last meters to finally win. Sunriver, with jockey John Velázquez, ended up in third place.

After its excellent performance, Bárbaro appears as Kentucky Derby’s strongest contester due to its impeccable latest results. Trained by Michael Matz, the horse also won the Laurel Futurity, the Tropical Park Derby and the Holy Bull before last Saturday event.