Mike Welsch's top 3-year-olds at Gulfstream on March 9
Top 3-year-old colts and geldings at Gulfstream Park
1 - UPSTART
Trainer: Rick Violette Jr.
Pedigree: Flatter-Party Silks by Touch Gold
Last race: Disqualified from 1st, placed 2nd Fountain of Youth
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 95/106
Target race: Florida Derby, March 28, Gulfstream or Wood Memorial, April 4, Aqueduct
Comment: Although disqualified from victory, he was easily best in the Fountain of Youth, finishing nearly three lengths clear of second-place finisher Itsaknockout. On the strength of that effort, and the big Beyer Figure he earned for winning the Holy Bull, he remains top dog in the local 3-year-old division.
2 - CARPE DIEM
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Giant’s Causeway-Rebridled Dreams by Unbridled Song
Last race: Won Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday
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.
:: TOP 3-YEAR-OLDS: Aqueduct | Fair Grounds | Oaklawn | Santa Anita
3 - Itsaknockout
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Lemon Drop Kid-Stormy B by Cherokee Run
Last race: Finished second, placed 1st in the Fountain of Youth
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 90/90
Target race: Florida Derby, March 28, Gulfstream Park
Comment: Lightly raced and steadily improving 3-year-old successfully handled the jump from allowance to Grade 2 company with his victory via disqualification in the Fountain of Youth. The win all but assures him a berth in the Kentucky Derby.
4 - Daredevil
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: More Than Ready-Chasethewildwind by Forty Niner
Last race: Ran 2nd in Grade 2 Swale on Saturday
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 103/107
Target race: Undecided
Comment: Ran a big race off the bench in defeat in the Swale, finishing second as the odds-on favorite behind huge performance by race winner Ready for Rye. That should set him up nicely for a final Derby prep.
:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 from Jay Privman and Mike Watchmaker
5 - Ready for Rye
Trainer: Tom Albertrani
Pedigree: City Zip-Embroidery by Carson City
Last race: Won the Grade 2 Swale on Saturday
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 109/109
Target race: Bay Shore, Aqueduct, April 4
Comment: Easily defeated Daredevil in the Grade 2 Swale while earning a huge Beyer Figure, but not a Kentucky Derby prospect. Will likely stay at seven furlongs for the foreseeable future.
:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays
Fillies
1 - 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. She was given a good freshening following her undefeated 2-year-old campaign and is still a long way from returning to the races. Whether she tries the dirt at some point this season remains unclear.
2 - BIRDATTHEWIRE
Trainer: Dale Romans
Pedigree: Summer Bird-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 and figures to only get better when she gets back to two turns in her next start.
3 - ANGELA RENEE
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Bernardini-Pilfer by Deputy Minister
Last race: Finished 4th, Rachel Alexandra, Fair Grounds
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 85/87
Target race: Undecided
Comment: Grade 1 winner didn’t get the best of trips while looking like a filly perhaps in need of a race when making her 3-year-old debut in the Rachel Alexandra.
4 - ESKENFORMONEY
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Eskendreya-But for Money by Not for Love
Last race: Finished 3rd, Davona Dale, Gulfstream Park
Last Beyer/Best Beyer: 87/87
Target race: Gulfstream Oaks, March 28, Gulfstream Park
Comment: Earned yet a career-best Beyer while proving she belonged in graded company in the Davona Dale. Another who has already shown she can handle two turns.
5 - 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 over a deep track in the Davona Dale, turning back bids from Birdatthewire and Eskenformoney. Unlike that pair, she must still prove her mettle around two turns.