Scat Daddy tunes up for Kentucky with Florida win

No need for a photo to figure out the winner this time.

Scat Daddy pulled away in the stretch Saturday for a 1 1/4-length victory over Notional in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park at Hallandale Beach, Fla., becoming one of the leading contenders 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, who was sent cross-country by trainer Bill Currin to avenge the tough defeat, 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.

Dubai World Cup

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Invasor avenged the only defeat of his career with a stirring victory in the $6 million race, outdueling Premium Tap in the stretch while rival Discreet Cat never posed a threat and finished last.

Invasor, the 2006 Horse of the Year, extended his winning streak to six and his career record to 11 of 12.

The only loss came against Discreet Cat in last year’s UAE Derby over this same Nad Al Sheba track.

Invasor took charge from Premium Tap and pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths in the world’s richest race, which capped a day of races worth $21.25 million.

“It’s an awful good year in one night to win in a $6 million race,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who spent nearly 10 years training in Dubai for the ruling Maktoum family.

Invasor has captured two of the richest races: the 5-year-old horse won the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Churchill Downs.