WHO’S HOT

Shagaf

Bernardini – Muhaawara, by Unbridled’s Song

Shadwell Farm homebred Shagaf, an open-lengths winner of both his starts, may be playing catch-up in terms of experience as he takes his first serious step onto the Triple Crown trail in Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. However, the son of Bernardini has a big advantage in a classic-type pedigree that should serve him well as he progresses.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When it comes to his 3-year-old Sunny Ridge, trainer Jason Servis doesn’t feel the need for speed.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Add Fellowship’s name to the shortlist of likely starters in the Florida Derby.

Trainer Stanley Gold said Monday that the steadily improving Fellowship came out of his third-place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday in good order, and that if all continues to go well, he will take on Mohaymen for a third time April 2 in the $1 million Florida Derby.

“I thought he ran well,” said Gold, who trains Fellowship for owner and breeder Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm. “It was what we expected. I knew he’d run late.”

ARCADIA, Calif. - Songbird and Mor Spirit, two of the best 3-year-olds in California, worked at Santa Anita on Sunday for races in coming weeks.

Songbird, the undefeated champion 2-year-old filly of 2015, breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds under jockey Mike Smith. Songbird will be a heavy favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.

Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Gulfstream Park, Feb. 27, 2016

 (50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)

 Winner: Mohaymen, by Tapit

 Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

 Jockey: Junior Alvarado

 Owner: Shadwell Stable

 Beyer Speed Figure: 95

Call it reading between the lines. Call it interpretation. Call it what you will, but it is something handicappers do a thousand times a day.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Mohaymen and Zulu, the one-two finishers in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, both came out of the race in good condition, their trainers reported on Sunday morning, and both could meet again in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby on April 2, a race that is also the next scheduled start for last year’s champion 2-year-old male, Nyquist.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The challengers keep getting a bit better for Mohaymen, but the end result remains the same. He’s the best 3-year-old in Florida, perhaps in the country, but a compelling showdown looms five weeks hence.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Giacomo’s win in the 2005 Kentucky Derby inspired Richard Keith to set a lofty goal. He decided that afternoon that he wanted to chase the 3-year-old dream at the highest level, and he is now doing that with his wife, Sharon, and his trainer, Rodney Richards.