Held up by Irad Ortiz Jr Wathnan Racing's Commandment improved his Kentucky Derby claims after swooping late to land a thrilling Grade 1 Florida Derby on Saturday night. Often considered the most essential trial for the 'Run for the Roses', this year's Florida Derby was fiercely objected to and Commandment triumphed in a thrilling finish at Gulfstream Park when overhauling The Puma on the line to win by a nose. The Brad Cox-trained colt won the Grade 2 Eternal Youth Stakes at the track last month and tuned up for Churchill Downs with a strong staying performance under Flavien Prat. Cox said: "I believed he had a shot. At the sixteenth pole, with the ground he was comprising, I thought he reacted well. My mindset was ready, this is a great race and it's going to set him up for the Derby, win or lose. I'm glad we came out on the best end." The last horse to win the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby was Always Dreaming in 2017. The 2019 Florida Derby winner Maximum Security likewise completed the double, but was disqualified from the Kentucky Derby following interference. Commandment is now the 6-1 second preferred for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 behind 9-2 market leader Renegade, who impressed in his trial when sweltering away with the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Held up by Irad Ortiz jr, Renegade started to circle the field on the home turn and showed a powerful turn of foot to diminish Silent Tactic and secure a four-length success. Like Commandment, the colt is by top American sire Into Mischief. He is trained by Todd Pletcher - who is now the race's most effective fitness instructor on 6 wins - for owners Robert and Lawana Low and Mike Repole. Pletcher said: "I'm extremely delighted. I liked the way he ended up. I'm extremely happy for the Lows and Repoles.