Fountain of Youth draws 8, will Algorithms stay the favorite?// El Padrino moves well 1st time at FG// Motor City works// more..

It’s a bit surprising to see eight horses entered in Sunday’s Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream.  Given the fact the top three choices are considered by most to be among the upper echelon of Kentucky Derby prospects, you would think the connections of the others would look elsewhere. However, we’ve seen our fair share of overrated 3-year-olds meet their match against supposed inferior competition seemingly every year.  Algorithms was installed as the favorite at 8-5, but it will be interesting to see if that holds.  Union Rags is the Las Vegas favorite to win the Kentucky Derby and while he’s coming off a layoff, his experience and credentials trump the Fountain of Youth favorite.  Discreet Dancer will also get some action at the betting windows, but there should be long prices on the rest// El Padrino, favored in the Risen Star (G2) at the Fair Grounds stepped on that track for the first time Thursday. Todd Pletcher assistant Whit Beckman said he moved well.  Another Risen Star entry, Afford, appeared washy during training Thursday, but trainer Greg Geier said that’s normal.  D. Wayne Lukas thinks Optimizer is in a good spot given he’s a closer and there should be an honest pace to run off of Saturday.  For full stories, handicapper picks, links to free PPs and race videos for the Risen Star and Fountain of Youth go here.

Motor City, winner of the Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs in October, continues to train for his comeback race.  The son of Derby winner Street Sense worked a quick 5 furlongs at Palm Meadows in 1:01 and 4// Another blog post by Dr. Hansen Thursday.  He seems fed up with hearing the excuse of Union Rags having to run wide in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. A valid point, but if he wanted to really end the conversation he could have left his horse in Florida to face Union Rags again on Sunday// more…

Upcoming:

Fountain of Youth (G2)- race page with PPs, race videos, articles, and picks

Risen Star (G2)- race page with PPs, race videos, articles, and picks

Articles

Fountain of Youth Preview articles: Gulfstream Park / TTimes / Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet

Let’s be frank, don’t overlook Discreet Dancer (Sports Network)

El Padrino invades for Risen Star (DRF)

Motor City moves 5 furlongs at Palm Meadows (Bloodhorse)

Pletcher pleased with new FOY distance (The Downey Profile)

All eyes on the 3-year-olds (ESPN)

Pee H Dee and Ring It Up: Lowered expectations? (The Downey Profile)

78 Feet!...ESPN and Trackus, give me a break (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)

Hansen’s mom: No one’s Mother of the Year (Hansen Blog via Courier Journal)

Kentucky Derby 2012 Point/Counterpoint- Pletcher vs. Baffert (Horse Racing Nation)

Analysis: El Camino Real Derby (Bleacher Report)

History Challenge Answer: Gulfstream Park’s Fountain of Youth full of legends (DRF)

Rankings

Jerry Bossert’s Kentucky Derby Rankings (NY Daily News)

Derby Dozen Volume 2 (Wireplayers Blog)

Picks:

Risen Star: Commish’s Picks (Downey Profile)

Fountain of Youth: That Handicapping Show [Video] (Bloodhorse)

Works

Motor City PMM- 5F- 1.01:88- B- 4/13

Right to Vote PMM- 5F- 1.01:10- B- 2/13

I'll Have Another HOL- 4F- 48:60- H- 5/20

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

“Have to consider Creative Cause on the right path after watching his authoritative gallop just now. Can't fake that kind of body language”- ClockerDH via Twitter

Southwest may split in two, shippers arrive// Bodemeister aiming for stakes// Ten to vie in El Camino// Updated future odds

While the major racetracks have had difficulty attracting healthy fields for their noteworthy Kentucky Derby preps- five entered for the Hutcheson, six in the Withers and Holy Bull, and only four or five expected in Saturday’s San Vicente at Santa Anita- that is not a problem for Oaklawn Park and Monday’s Southwest (G3).  In fact, with possibly 21 horses pointing for the race, there is a distinct possibility the Southwest could be split into two races, both carrying a $250,000 purse and Grade 3 status.  Smarty Jones Stakes winner Junebugred, who will get some betting action in either race, worked a bullet 48 and 1 Tuesday morning.  According to trainer Steve Hobby, Junebugred has progressed from his last victory and should be a threat// The Southwest did lose one contender when trainer Larry Jones decided to keep Mark Valeski at the Fair Grounds.  He’ll have to face stablemate and Lecomte (G3) winner Mr. Bowling, and as Jones stated he’ll soon know which one is better// Ten entries are expected for the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.  In addition to likely favorite Russian Greek there will be a filly, Lady of Fifty, who recently won the California Oaks.  Information on the other eight possible contenders can be viewed in the linked DRF article below// As expected, Bob Baffert will send impressive maiden winner Bodemeiseter to a stakes race next time out in March.  Which particular race is unknown, but that’s often the case with Baffert who keeps decisions close to the vest until days before the race// Jason Shandler discusses Javier Castellano and his agent’s decision to ride Algorithms over Union Rags and says it simply came down to trainers.  Given that Todd Pletcher is loaded with at least five serious Derby prospects, a majority ridden by Castellano, they wanted to stay on as many as possible this early in the season.  It still seems something is missing in this theory.  If Castellano chose Union Rags, would he have been pulled from Gemologist, El Padrino, and Spring Hill Farm?  None of those horses have a scheduled race that conflict with Union Rags, so there is no reason he would lose those mounts, unless Pletcher hinted he would look elsewhere// more…

Articles

Southwest may wind up split (DRF)

California invaders arrive safely, including Breeders’ Cup winner Secret Circle (Oaklawn Park)

Afford targets Risen Star (DRF)

Jones pointing both Mark Valeski and and Mr. Bowling to Risen Star (DRF)

Bodemeister headed to stakes after maiden romp (DRF)

Carava regroups in new territory [American Act] (DRF)

El Camino Real a proven springboard (DRF)

Thunder Moccasin: Pretty and pretty talented (Bloodhorse)

Haskin’s Derby Trail: El Al jets ready to take off (Bloodhorse Blog)

From ‘Rags’ to Pletcher riches (Bloodhorse Blog)

Up to code [Algorithms’ mare] (Bloodhorse Blog)

Gomez hoping to return for San Felipe (Bloodhorse)

3-year-olds to watch (In The Money Blog)

A bright future (ESPN)

Registration open for ‘Road to the Roses’ Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge (Churchill Downs)

Future Odds

Wynn Las Vegas 2/13

Rankings
Paulick Derby Index 2/14 (Paulick Report)

Down and Derby Sweet 16 (Zipse at the Track Blog)

Works

Souper Speedy- PMM- 5F- 1.03:22- B- 3/6

Junebugred- OP- 4F- 48:20- B- 1/8

Worthington- SUN- 5F- 1.02:40- B- 14/32

Russian Greek- GG- 4F- 49:00- H- 2/10

Weekly Speed Figures*

Top winning 3yo BRIS figs last week: Golden Ticket-103; Bodemeister-101; Fed Biz, Good Morning Diva, Thunder Moccasin, Hardened Wildcat & Panthro-97

Top winning 3yo Beyers last week: Bodemeister-99; Fed Biz-97; Thunder Moccasin-93; Panthro-90; Good Morning Diva-87; Golden Ticket & Hardened Wildcat-83;

*DerbyContenders via Twitter