Things have had a way of coming full circle for Soldat and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Soldat begin his career on dirt, took a detour to turf, and now is being given a chance to make the Kentucky Derby, starting with the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Bandbox, 2 for 2 in stakes while racing seven furlongs but idle for three months, makes his 3-year-old debut at his favorite distance in Saturday’s $75,000 Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park.
Santa Anita’s loss is Turf Paradise’s gain as Indian Winter will ship a few hours east to head the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Saturday. Indian Winter figures to be favored against nine rivals in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds.
To Honor and Serve drew post position 7 and tops a field of eight 3-year-olds and Kentucky Derby hopefuls who will contest Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth. He will face a field that includes, from the rail out: Soldat (Alan Garcia), Gourmet Dinner (Ramon Dominguez), El Grayling (Rajiv Maragh), Casper’s Touch (Alex Solis), Bowman’s Causeway (Julien Leparoux), Racing Aptitude (Jose Lezcano), and Shackleford (Jesus Castanon).
The Southwest Stakes was not the only race at Oaklawn Park on Monday to produce starters for next month’s Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel. Alternation emerged as a candidate for the race following an allowance win on the undercard.
It’s entirely possible that the most talented 3-year-old to race on the Risen Star card Saturday at Fair Grounds wasn’t in the Risen Star at all. Bind made his career debut in a maiden special weight sprint, race 3, and was absolutely sensational.
A minority interest in Soldat, who is scheduled to run on Saturday in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, was purchased this week, Kiaran McLaughlin, the trainer of Soldat, said Wednesday morning.
It’s possible that the top four finishers in Saturday’s Risen Star could all meet up in the Louisiana Derby on March 26 at Fair Grounds, though for now, the connections of Rogue Romance, the Risen Star third, appear to have made the strongest early commitment to the race.
Trainer Bob Baffert on Tuesday said that The Factor, who sped to victory in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita, would likely make his first start around two turns in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby on March 27.
Archarcharch, J P’s Gusto, and Elite Alex – the first three finishers in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn on Monday – are all being pointed for next month’s Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel, their connections said on Tuesday.
