view raw text
Gulf stream Boosts Florida Derby to. 00,000 HALL AND ALE, Fla., May 24. The Florida Derby, leading three-year-old fixture of Gulfstream Parks recent winter racing season, will carry a purse value of 00,000 added during the 1953 meeting:, it was announced today by president James Donn. Under its new purse tag, the Derby will become the richest race in the history of Florida racing, and the first 00,000 event ever run in the state. The Florida Derby was revived during the past winter under a 20,000 figure, attracting a field of 18 to the starting gate. The winner, in a three-nose finish, was the Brookmeade Stables Sky Ship, who defeated Handsome Teddy, with Sandtop, third. Sky Ship recently added to his laurels by winning one division of the Swift Stakes at Belmont Park. "For some years I have felt that Florida has been failing badly in the matter of class racing," Donn said today in making known his plans for the 100,000 race. "Leading stables and jockeys, attracted by big purses on the West Coast, have been deserting Florida for these greener racing grounds, and I have maintained that our local tracks must make decisive moves to restore Miami to its former prestige as winter racing capital of the nation. "The Florida Derby is a major step along that comeback trail. After conferring with racing secretary Horace Wade, we will set a date which will avoid any major conflict with the Santa Anita Derby and other three-year-old winter classics. This should make the race attractive to Derby prospects from all sections of the country."
