Mega card in store for Saturday, with fourteen races and nine graded stakes scheduled. The Grade II Fountain of Youth highlights what should be a great day of racing. Without further ado, let’s go to the comments:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. ™Clm 6250 Purse $19,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Go Go Jak (#8) – Easy winner last time out in a very similar group, has been going thru her conditions in strict order, a thing a like. Saez rides her back and should be part of that first flight.
Stellamatutina (#2) – She is returning from an eight month stay on the shelf with seven works that signal readiness. She was running for twice the claiming tag of this race, so she should fit nicely in here.
Fergielicious (#1) – Another come backer working steadily for her return. In a race filled with professional losers, a filly with a 6 for 24 record has to be considered a contender.
2nd race: 1 Mile. MC 12500 Purse $21,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
High Rolling Dude (#5) – One of the few that maybe hasn’t reached his ceiling yet. He just missed in his only start, and running the same trip and facing horses that have lost repeatedly in this same level, looks very tough to beat.
El Playon (#8) – Had some trouble as the favorite in that last race, which was the same as my top pick’s. Franco is a vast improvement jockey wise and Sano is very effective bringing back beaten faves.
Beach Resort (#4) – Taking the sharpest drop of this bunch, maybe his jockey will try to steal it, with the lack of speed signed in.
3rd race: 6 Furlongs. Clm 6250n3L Purse $18,000 (includes $2,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
Golden Kantharos (#3) – Has been knocking at the door for a win. It is true that he hasn’t win in a long time, but these groups are full of those. Leonel Reyes repeats on his saddle.
Duke of Miami (#4) – Lots of problems in his last, in a race that he should have won. Now he will start from a better post and Saez has already guided him to a win.
Dr. Harlan (#1) – Just three races ago he as performing good enough to be a favorite in a group like this one. That last race was on an off track, and now receives a quantifiable upgrade in jockey, with Brian Hernandez taking the reins. Watch out!!
4th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) PalmBch-G3 Palm Beach S. Grade III. Purse $150,000 THREE YEAR OLDS.
Louder Than Bombs (#6) – He has more ground to work with now, pace should be much faster, enhancing his chances and Irad climbs aboard. He is ready to take the next step.
A Thread of Blue (#5) – Solid win last time out against a similar group, and with experience at this trip already, he must be considered as a top contender.
Art G is Back (#2) – The progeny by Exchange Rate is very good running on the lawn, and that last race came off the turf, and now he is making his debut on the turf in a stakes race. Seems to me they think he will take nicely to the grass.
5th race: 1 Mile. (Turf) CanTuf-G3 Canadian Turf S. Grade III. Purse $150,000 FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Krampus (#5) – That last effort was a very good one, despite having encountered trouble more than once. He should be part of that early flight if he comes out cleanly and now a Hall of Famer takes over the riding.
Breaking the Rules (#7) – Much improved performances with Irad Ortiz on his saddle, in his most recent overcoming a very slow pace. Takes a bit of a cutback but maybe he still has some upside potential.
Hembree (#6) – If we don’t count his race in the Breeders Cup, the rest of his efforts are good enough to be a top contender in here. He needs pace for his late run to be effective, don’t know if he will get it.
6th race: 6 Furlongs. GpSprint-G3 Gulfstream Park Sprint S. Grade III. Purse $100,000 FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Recruiting Ready (#1) – Seems to be the controlling speed in this race, and from that rail post, Saez will try to clear early and overcome what the closers bring late. Not a bad last effort against World of Trouble, who has been light s out lately.
Storm Advisory (#8) – His last efforts sprinting have been good enough two give him a very good chance against this bunch, specially that second place finish behind Coal Front, who has won two stakes since that race.
Quijote (#4) – Won a race that fell apart late in the Sunshine Millions Card, and he needs a similar pace in here to do a repeat. Not sure if he will get it, but Irad is a master at judging initial pace.
7th race: 1 3/16 Mile. (Turf) ™VeryOne-G3 The Very One S. Grade III. Purse $150,000 FILLIES AND MARES, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
The Tulip (#2) – California shipper that has been running against very nice fillies like Vasilika and Fahan Mura. I see this as a bit of a drop in class for her, and gets Joel Rosario on her saddle. Paddy Gallagher ships at a 19% clip.
Semper Sententiae (#5) – This filly has run better as the distances increase, now gets a nice cutback in distance and Castellano aboard. She looked like a winner last time out, now should be much fitter.
Holy Helena (#3) – Doesn’t impress anyone with the way she wins her races, but the main thing is that, when the turf is dry, she is always on the mix at the end. Irad takes over for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, I expect an improved effort from her.
8th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ™Hcmbride-G3 Herecomesthebride S. Grade III. Purse $150,000 FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD.
Cambier Parc (#7) – Very impressive run on her bow race on the turf, she attended the pace and was a much the best winner. It is true that the stakes are much higher now, but I don’t see that much speed signed in, and Jose Ortiz loves to put his horses forwardly placed on the grass.
Primela (#3) – With seven races in her resume, she has a clear edge in experience in this group, and has been facing better fillies that these. Entices Joel Rosario to climb her saddle for former Chad Brown assistant Cherie DeVaux.
Connectivity (#8) – Solid effort winning her debut, needs to step up to win here, but if Chad Brown is sending her to the lions, it is because he feels she belongs in here.
9th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) ™Mdn 50k Purse $50,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
Our Law (#4) – Filly that was transferred to Mark Casse after a very promising debut, in which she was 98-1. Now Irad Ortiz climbs aboard and has much more ground to work with.
San Saria (#5) – Bill Mott first time starter, he is not known for his effectiveness with debut runners, but this one has nice works and Johnny V. preferred her over a very nice looking Pletcher debut filly.
Choate Bridge (#13) – Post is not the best, but she showed talent in her debut six months ago at Saratoga. Returns with twelve works in preparation, gets Lasix and Gaffalione.
10th race: 1ˆ Mile. Mdn 50k Purse $50,000 (includes $7,000 FHBPA-FOA – FHBPA Florida Owners Awards) FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD.
Haunt (#2) – He was extremely lackadaisical at the start of his debut, but made up good ground, looking like a horse that will relish the added distance. José Ortiz rides back for Bill Mott, who is much better second time out.
High Amplitude (#7) – There is no shame in running fourteen lengths behind runaway winner Hidden Scroll in his debut. Chad Brown hits at a 35% clip sending a last out debut horse on consecutive route races. Irad takes the call for today.
Felix the Fox (#6) – Gets blinkers on for this race, looking for some more focus from him. Thatlast race was a good one, running behind good horses like Kentucky Wildcat and Country House.
11th race: 1 Mile. (Turf) ™HoneyFox-G3 Honey Fox S. Grade III. Purse $150,000 FILLIES AND MARES, FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Precieuse (#1) – Grade I winner down in France. She made her debut in the states last August at Saratoga and just missed as the favorite. Coming back from six months on the bench, she is been working superbly since December and Castellano stays up.
Dolce Lili (#10) – That outside post does her no favors, but she is in the best form of her life, and with a lil more improvement, she has a chance to beat my favorite. Johnny V. keeps the mount and should be coming late from the garden spot.
Bellavais (#9) – Very consistent and tough filly, she always lays it on the line for her connections. It is true that Castellano preferred my top pick, but Rosario is a push in terms of jockeys on the grass. Don’t count her out at all.
12th race: 1 Mile. ™DvonaDal-G2 Davona Dale S. Grade II. Purse $200,000 FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD.
Jaywalk (#1) – Even dough she will not be totally cranked for her return to the races, the Eclipse Award winner should have no problem at all disposing of this very modest group. I expect her to be at or near the lead from the gitgo and Rosario will be a mere passenger here.
Champagne Anyone (#5) – Very nice filly that has shown steady improvement with every new race. Stakes are much higher now with the presence of Jaywalk, but the mile trip should suit her perfectly. Nice run against the very talented Feedback in her most recent effort.
Cookie Dough (#2) – Easy scores in her last two races, but those were five months ago. If she has turned the corner from two to three in good form, she can be a nice surprise of for some reason the favorite doesn’t fire.
13th race: 1 1/16 Mile. FntnOYth-G2 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. Grade II. Purse $400,000 THREE YEAR OLDS.
Vekoma (#5) – I have been waiting to see what this horse will bring to the table in 2019. I really hope he has developed enough to be a force to be reckoned with in the Triple Crown trail. Manny Franco ships from New York to ride.
Hidden Scroll (#7) – He couldn’t have been more impressive in his debut, but still has questions to answer; was that impressive score aided by the off track? How well will he handle the two turns? Will he bounce of such a big effort? If he can answer all of those properly, we can be seeing a monster.
Signalman (#6) – He has won a Grade II and have placed in two Grade Is, including the Breeders Cup Juvenile, so he is maybe the most seasoned horse in this field. Has shown affinity to the added ground and will be present when all the marbles are to be counted.
14th race: 1 3/8 Mile. (Turf) MDiarmd-G2 Mac Diarmida S. Grade II. Purse $200,000 FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
Channel Maker (#11) – I suspect Joel Rosario will try to send him to the lead from that eleven post and see if he can take them wire to wire. If he can establish a soft enough pace up front, watch out. I think his price will be an enticing one after that last race.
Zulu Alpha (#6) – Slowly but surely improving, trying to become a household name within the older male turf division. Irad won with him at Pegasus World Cup day and returns to his saddle. Should be watching the leaders from a stalking position.
Village King (#2) – Last time, the race was too long for him. These 11 furlongs should fit him much better that the mile and a half and Johnny V. insists with him after two losses. He will be part of that first flight from the start.