Mike Welsch's top 3-year-olds at Gulfstream on March 17
Top 3-year-old colts and geldings at Gulfstream Park
Trainer: Rick Violette Jr.
Pedigree: Flatter-Party Silks by Touch Gold
Last race: Disqualified 1st, placed 2nd Fountain of Youth
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 95/106
Target race: Florida Derby, March 28 Gulfstream
Comment: Remains tops of the locally based 3-year-olds despite disqualification in the Fountain of Youth. Continues training forwardly for his final Derby prep; now almost certain to come in the Florida Derby.
:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Giant’s Causeway-Rebridled Dreams by Unbridled Song
Last race: Won Tampa Bay Derby
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 98/98
Target race: Blue Grass, Keeneland, April 4
Comment: Moved up in the Pletcher barn pecking order among Derby hopefuls with a huge performance off the bench in the Tampa Bay Derby. Looked on the gallop-out like a horse who’ll relish even more distance.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Lemon Drop Kid-Stormy B by Cherokee Run
Last race: Finished 2nd, placed 1st in the Fountain of Youth
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 90/90
Target race: Florida Derby, March 28, Gulfstream Park
Comment: Steadily improving 3-year-old beat Upstart via disqualification in the Fountain of Youth. Will try to prove he deserved that victory when they meet again in Florida Derby.
:: TOP 3-YEAR-OLDS: Aqueduct | Fair Grounds| Oaklawn | Santa Anita
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: More Than Ready-Chasethewildwind by Forty Niner
Last race: Ran 2nd in Grade 2 Swale
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 103/107
Target race: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 4
Comment: Earned triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure despite getting beat in the seven-furlong Swale. Will put all his Derby eggs in one basket when he makes his final Derby prep, likely now to come in the Wood.
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Pedigree: City Zip-Embroidery by Carson City
Last race: Won the Grade 2 Swale
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 109/109Target race: Bay Shore, Aqueduct, April 4
Comment: Not a Derby contender but surely among the best of the local 3-year-olds by virtue of his division-best 109 Beyer earned for his impressive victory over the odds-on Daredevil in the Swale.
3-year-old fillies
LADY ELI
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pedigree: Divine Park-Sacre Coeur by Saint Ballado
Last race: Won Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Oct. 31, Santa Anita
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 96/96
Target race: Undecided
Comment: Turf specialist may be the most talented 3-year-old in the country. Was given a good freshening following her undefeated 2-year-old campaign and is working steadily for her much-anticipated 3-year-old bow.
:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 from Jay Privman and Mike Watchmaker
BIRDATTHEWIRE
Trainer: Dale Romans
Pedigree: Summer Bired-My Limit by Wagon Limit
Last race: Finished 2nd in Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 88/88
Target race: Gulfstream Oaks, March 28, Gulfstream Park
Comment: Improved from a Beyer standpoint despite coming up a neck short in the Davona Dale. Turned in eye-catching five-furlong work, punctuated by awesome gallop-out last weekend at Gulfstream.
TAYLOR S
Trainer: Dale Romans
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro-Miss Lacy Sue by Trippi
Last race: Won Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 94/94
Target race: Undecided
Comment: Showed her blazing speed winning the Any Limit following unlucky trip in the Forward Gal. Could be a real force in the division if she can ever stretch that speed around two turns.
EKATI’S PHAETON
Trainer: Bill Kaplan
Pedigree: Tale of Ekati-Seventh Vail by Tail of the Cat
Last race: Won Davona Dale, Gulfstream Park
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 88/88
Target race: Gulfstream Oaks, March 28, Gulfstream Park
Comment: Made all the pace to win the Davona Dale, turning back bids from Birdatthewire and Eskenformoney. Unlike that pair, she must still prove her mettle around two turns.