Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Barbaro proved Saturday that the track surface makes no difference as he battled a dead-game Sharp Humor down the stretch before inching away to take the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, establishing himself as one of the horses to beat on May 6 in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Barbaro's Triple Crown credentials had been suspect in many quarters prior to the Florida Derby, since the Dynaformer colt had never raced over a fast dirt track.

An able turf performer for trainer Michael Matz in his first three career starts, Barbaro made his debut on the main track with a win in the slop in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), remaining undefeated, but the question surrounding how he would respond on a fast dirt track lingered.

Saturday Barbaro, with jockey Edgar Prado in the irons, answered the question with a hard-fought but convincing victory, edging past a game Sharp Humor after a stirring stretch duel to win by a half-length, completing the 1 1/8-mile trip in 1:49.01. It was three lengths further back to Sunriver, who closed steadily to get third by a half-length over Sam's Ace.

"I saw Sharp Humor break sharp, so I just followed him," Prado said. "[Barbaro] was pretty much in control of the race. So far this is my Derby horse. We'll see how he comes back over the next couple of days and make a decision from there."

Barbaro's race was even more impressive given the fact that he was breaking from the ten hole, a difficult post to have with the short run to the first turn in a 1 1/8-mile race over Gulfstream's new configuration. To add to the difficulty, he bobbled at the break and was bumped before Prado got him rolling in pursuit of Sharp Humor.

"He was ready to run today," Matz said. "I'm no more concerned now [going into the Derby] than I was about the eight-week layoff [since the Holy Bull Stakes]. I think he's a good horse. He's done everything we've asked of him."

With the victory, Barbaro increased his career earnings to $849,000 with his perfect five-for-five record. He is out of the Carson City mare La Ville Rouge.

For an Equibase chart, click here.