Confirming his victory in the Fountain of Youth three weeks ago, Vicar defended his title as the top East Coast Kentucky Derby contender yesterday with a game nose victory over Wondertross in the Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby before an estimated crowd of 30,000 at Gulfstream Park.

Cat Thief, favored at 9-5, finished third in a blanket finish after setting the early pace of :23.4 and :48.1. Vicar paid $11.20 to top a $72.60 exacta after running the mile and an eighth in 1:50.4.

Vicar, who won the Fountain of Youth wire to wire, changed his style in the Florida Derby, rallying wide on the turn under Shane Sellers. He overtook Cat Thief in mid-stretch, but Cat Thief battled back along the inside while Wondertross charged hard down the center of the track.

Certain, who challenged Cat Thief for the early lead, held well for fourth. All four finishers figure to stay on the trail to the May 1 Derby.

The Run for the Orchids has been a key prep for the Run for the Roses almost from its inauguration in 1952. The next year two horses coming out of the Florida Derby, Money Broker (the winner) and Dark Star (13th), teamed up six weeks later to produce one of the greatest upsets in Kentucky Derby history.

The heavy Derby favorite that year was the great “Gray Ghost,” Native Dancer. But Money Broker knocked Native Dancer off stride heading into the clubhouse turn, allowing loose-on-the-lead Dark Star to hold on by a head to hand Native Dancer the only loss in his 22-race career.

http://nypost.com/1999/03/14/vicar-wins-florida-derby-edges-wondertross-cat-thief/