The Tropical Park Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race currently run at Gulfstream ParkHallandale Beach, Florida in mid-December. It is an ungraded stakes race for 3-year-olds with a purse of $75,000 run over the turf at miles.
Prior to 2014, the race was held at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida. The race was once held in early January, often on New Year's Day, which made it the first "derby" of the year. In 2011, Calder ran the race twice: once in January and again in October. In 2012 and 2013, it was run in October only. In 2014, the race was moved to Gulfstream Park and run in December.
Inaugurated in 1976, the Tropical Park Derby was named for the old Tropical Park Race Track in Miami. It was once thought of as the first step on the American Triple Crown trail. In 2006, Barbaro became the first winner of the race to subsequently win the Kentucky Derby.
Due to financial pressure, Calder did not run the race in 2009. The race was downgraded from a Grade III race in 2011 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
The race has been run under the following combinations of distance and surface: miles on turf - 2014–present miles on turf - 1994-2013 (except in 2002 and 2012 when weather conditions caused the race to be moved to the main track) miles on dirt - 1976-1985 miles on dirt - 1986-1993
Past winners
2015 - Solemn Tribute
2014 - Sky Flight
2013 - Amen Kitten
2012 - Csaba
2011 (October) - Oligarch
2011 (January) - King Congie
2010 - Fly by Phil (Eduardo Núñez) 2008 - Cowboy Cal (John Velazquez) 2007 - Soldier's Dancer (Cornelio Velásquez) 2006 - Barbaro 2005 - Lord Robyn 2004 - Kitten's Joy 2003 - Nothing to Lose 2002‡- Political Attack (Mark Guidry) 2001 - Proud Man 2000 - Go Lib Go 1999 - Valid Reprized 1998 - Draw Again 1997 - Arthur L. 1996 - Ok By Me 1995 - Mecke 1994 - Fabulous Frolic 1993 - Summer Set 1992 - Technology 1991 - Jackie Wackie
‡ In 2002, the race was run off the turf, but retained its GIII status.