Fountain of Youth and Risen Star picks and stories// Updates on Mac the Man, Dry Summer, Flashback, more…

Summary:

Tons of new articles and handicapper picks for Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) and Fountain of Youth (G2). Links can be found below under the race headings// While Verrazano was the narrow favorite after Pool #1 closed for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Las Vegas currently has Flashback as the most likely to wear the Roses// Recent maiden winner Demonic had a hiccup in training, but is still hopefully headed to the San Felipe (G2)// Mac The Man, winner of a minor stakes at Turfway will bypass the next race in the Northern Kentucky circuit and train up to the Spiral (G3) March 23// The newly named Mine That Bird Stakes at Sunland will be held Saturday, with the race serving as a prep for the Sunland Derby (G3). Dry Summer was installed as the favorite, but his stakes resume isn’t what you would call stellar. He finished 4th of 5 in the Sham (G3), 17 lengths behind winner Goldencents, and before that tried the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) where he finished 11th of 14// A possible key allowance race occurred at Gulfstream Thursday where impressive maiden winner Integrity was the overwhelming favorite. The Chad Brown trained colt was part of a speed duel and finished second by a length behind Divine Ambition. The winner finished 6th in his prior race in the Sam Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay. Given that performance and the fact he took advantage of a hot pace Thursday, there’s probably not much to get excited about in terms of the Kentucky Derby// more…  

Upcoming Points Races:

Fountain of Youth (G2)

Gulfstream Park

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Previews: Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park2 [Violence] / DRF DRF2 DRF3 / Bloodhorse / Brisnet

Picks: Downey Profile / Bloodhorse THS / DRF [Video] / DRF Weekend Warrior

Risen Star (G2)

Fair Grounds

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Previews: Brisnet / DRF DRF2 DRF3 DRF4/ Bloodhorse

Picks: Downey Profile / DRF [Video] / DRF Weekend Warrior

Articles:

Gulfstream News and Notes [He’s Had Enough, Speak Logistics] (Gulfstream Park)

Can He’s Had Enough put it together in Florida? (Horseracing Nation)

Shakin It Up on silver alert (Bloodhorse Blog)

Demonic playing catch up to make San Felipe (DRF)

Mac The Man likely to pass Battaglia and train up to Spiral (DRF)

Q&A: Churchill’s John Asher talks Kentucky Derby preps (DRF)

Q&A with Brian Hernandez Jr. [re; Risen Star] (Courier Journal Blog)

Heaven’s Runway will try Arkansas Derby next (Brisnet)

Flashback heads Kentucky Derby futures at Vegas books (DRF)

Weekly update: ‘Road to Kentucky Derby’ Championship Series begins (Churchill Downs)

Derby preps get serious (Bloodhorse Blog)

Dry Summer tops field in Mine That Bird Derby (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby point standings [video] (ABR via YouTube)

Trusty Champion, now stable pony to the stars, accompanies He’s Had Enough to Florida (In the Money Blog)

Kentucky Derby Daily: Feb 21 (In The Money Blog)

Flight of the thoroughbreds (ESPN)

Rankings:

ESPN Top 10 (ESPN) List of voters here

Workouts:

Vyjack- AQU- 6F- 1.15:13- B- 1/2

Goldencents wins Sham, takes lead in Derby point standings

Sham Stakes (G3)

Winner (pts): Goldencents (10)

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Jockey: Kevin Krigger

2nd, 3rd, 4th (pts): Den’s Legacy (4), Manando (2), Dry Summer (1)

Chart: Equibase

Replay: Bloodhorse

Recaps: Bloodhorse / Brisnet / DRF / L.A. Times / USA Today

CTD Analysis: While Goldencents’ newfound stalking style is encouraging, it was not a visually impressive performance.  He needed quite a bit of urging from jockey Kevin Krigger, who should be lauded for his skills and timing in the late stages of the race.  None of Goldencents’ four competitors had ever come close to winning a race on dirt, with the closest losing margin prior to the Sham being 6 lengths.  His Beyer speed figure came back 93- respectable for this stage of the trail, but nothing to instill a load of confidence.  Unfortunately, the Sham did nothing but keep his class questionable for me.  His pedigree also causes concern when distances start to increase later on the trail.

Looking elsewhere to find promising colts in the Sham is difficult too.  Den’s Legacy made a nice closing move along the rail and could move up, although a break might be in order considering his 9 career starts.  Manando just couldn’t hold onto the lead and will most likely need some education in harnessing his speed if he is to become a major player.