Fri, 02/28/2020 - 11:20

Mike Welsch’s Fountain of Youth 2020 picks and analysis

1. Chance It
2. As Seen on Tv
3. Dennis’ Moment

CHANCE IT couldn't be training better, but obviously the post-position draw is a major issue in a bulky lineup swelled by several who really have no right to be in this spot. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will have to be at his absolute best if forced to work out a trip from this far out with such a short run to clubhouse turn.

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 15:36

Dennis' Moment ready to get back on track in Fountain of Youth

Barbara D. Livingston
Dennis' Moment will make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut in Saturday's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As Dennis’ Moment galloped around the track the other morning at Gulfstream Park, neck bowed, eager to do more, a visitor with trainer Dale Romans remarked at how well his colt looked.

:: Fountain of Youth Day 2020: News, analysis, picks, past performances, and more

“Put that in there, so they know it’s not just me BSing,” Romans said.

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 13:20

Tiz the Law expected to resume workouts on Sunday or Monday

Barbara D. Livingston
Holy Bull Stakes winner Tiz the Law heads the first edition of Derby Watch.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Tiz the Law, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, missed a couple of works this month after he sprung a shoe, but should be back on the work tab no later than Monday, trainer Barclay Tagg said Thursday at the Palm Meadows training center, where he is based this winter.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 12:29

Stephen Foster gets purse boost and new date during Churchill Downs spring meet

Joe Labozzetta
Plans call for a hotel and casino to be built around the first turn at Churchill Downs.

The spring meet at Churchill Downs, which is, of course, highlighted by the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, will feature a new placement for the Stephen Foster Stakes and the creation of several new stakes, the Louisville track announced on Thursday.

In total, the 38-day spring meet will include 41 stakes worth a record $14 million. The meet runs from April 25 through June 27.

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 15:16

Kentucky Derby: Fountain of Youth an important first step for Joseph, Chance It

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Chance It (above) is the first horse Saffie Joseph Jr. (right) has had on the Kentucky Derby trail.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – He was bitten early by the racing bug, so much so that, from a young age, training was all he ever wanted to do. He remembers marveling at the exploits of Cigar in the mid 1990s, and in the late 1990s was captivated by the American Triple Crown, seeing the same faces show up every year.

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 13:06

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chance It

Chance It

Currency Swap – Vagabon Diva, by Pleasantly Perfect

Bred in Florida by Bett Usher

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 13:00

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 26, 2020

WHO’S HOT

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 10:16

Mine That Bird winner Sir Rick to return for Sunland Park Derby

Coady Photography
Sir Rick wins the Mine That Bird Derby by four lengths, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

Sir Rick is being pointed for the Grade 3, $700,000 Sunland Park Derby on March 22, trainer Robertino Diodoro said on Monday. The horse will enter the mile and an eighth race off a win in the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby, the local prep which was run Sunday.

The Sunland Derby offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a scale of 50-20-10-5.

Mon, 02/24/2020 - 14:50

Paolucci to run longshot The Falcon in Fountain of Youth, Nikki and Papa in Davona Dale

Barbara D. Livingston
Nikki and Papa will represent Ron Paolucci in the Grade 2 Davona Dale on Saturday.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Ron Paolucci resisted the urge to run the maiden filly Nikki and Papa in the Fountain of Youth on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, but perhaps only in deference to his ownership partners.

“I had somebody just buy in for 20 percent of the filly,” Paolucci said Monday from Texas, “and now I own 50 percent of her. I’d love to have run her against the boys if this was like her third start, but she’s only run the one time. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do it when the circumstances are a little more in our favor.”

Mon, 02/24/2020 - 14:36

Allowance winner Americanus earns a Derby prep chance

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Trainer Mark Hennig said Americanus will try a Kentucky Derby prep race in his next start.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Americanus earned himself an opportunity to compete in one of the upcoming Kentucky Derby preps after winning a loaded first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs Saturday.

Americanus slipped up the rail under jockey Javier Castellano to register a one-length victory over debut winner Violent City, with the highly regarded pair of Silver Ratio and Cost Basis also in his wake. The win was the second in four starts for Americanus, a son of War Front who posted a career-high 82 Beyer Speed Figure in the process.