Zito Dials In Derby Contender

Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Florida -

Finishing with a flourish, Dialed In closed strongly in the stretch Sunday to take the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

Piloted in the Florida Derby by Julien Leparoux it was Dialed In who unleashed a solid late run to wear down the longshot Shackleford in the lane and win narrowly.

The Even money choice Soldat did not live up to his billing and finished disappointingly in the 1 1/8 contest.

Dialed In looks like a solid Kentucky Derby contender after his late surge in Florida. His running style should suit him well in the 1 1/4 contest at Churchill on the first Saturday in May.

Zito took a similar route with Ice Box last year, who won the Florida Derby and ran well to finish 2nd in the Kentucky Derby. Ice Box had a similar running style to Dialed In.

Dialed In returned $7.80 for the win. The 7-5 exacta paid a healthy $339.60 for a $2 wager.

The winning time was a bit slow, 1:50.07

Dialed In is by Mineshaft out of a Storm Cat Mare.