2005 Florida Derby Winner
High Fly was a top three year old of 2005 who carried the hopes of one of the most respected racing operations in America to the Kentucky Derby. He was foaled in 2002 and trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito for Live Oak Plantation, the family farm of Charlotte Weber. He was a striking bay colt who put together a strong prep season and earned a spot among the favorites on the first Saturday in May.
High Fly showed his class on the South Florida circuit in early 2005. He won the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, beating other top three year olds in his division. He came back next time out and powered home to win the 2005 Florida Derby, the million dollar Grade 1 that traditionally serves as one of the most important Kentucky Derby preps. The win gave Nick Zito his first Florida Derby trophy, a notable feat for a Hall of Fame trainer with multiple classic wins to his name.
He went into the 2005 Kentucky Derby as one of the betting favorites. The race was a wild one, won by the 50 to 1 longshot Giacomo in a wide open finish. High Fly ran into traffic trouble and finished off the board, ending his Triple Crown dreams in just one race. He came back later in the year and ran in stakes company through his three year old season, but he never quite recaptured the magic of his Florida winter.
After his racing days, High Fly went to stud as a regional sire, where he stood at several farms over the years. He retired with a record that included multiple graded wins and Grade 1 success at Gulfstream. High Fly is remembered as a strong runner who delivered one of Live Oak Plantation's great racing moments and gave Nick Zito another classic prospect during a remarkable run of Triple Crown contenders in the 2000s.
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