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

Vyjack learning to calm down// Miracle Wood odds// Interest in Mac the Man// 'All Others' strong in KDFW #1?// more…

Summary:

I’ve always respected trainers who breeze their own horses in the mornings. It’s “training” in it’s most natural and direct form, and a refreshing sight to see compared to the typical modern day trainer who spends most of his or her time with a cell phone glued to their ear. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez was aboard undefeated Vyjack Thursday morning, who breezed 5 panels in preparation for a start in the Gotham (G3) March 2 at Aqueduct. Rodriguez is working on getting Vyjack to relax more, as the colt has been headstrong in his three races. Clawback, Escapefromreality, and Overanalyze are mentioned in the article as also probable for the Withers// Byron King at the Daily Racing Form thinks there are some strong “all others” in the Derby Future Wager pool, but betting a group of second tier horses (for now) at around 9-5 odds doesn’t appeal to me. For full odds and links to free Future Wager PPs see links below// Although it will be a quiet weekend for big preps for the Kentucky Derby, Dick Downey writes of intriguing Triple Crown nominees racing in maidens and allowances at Gulfstream, Fair Grounds, and Aqueduct, plus the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel// The Miracle Wood features favorite Vegas No Show, who lost by over six lengths in the Jerome (G2) last time out. Dynamic Strike, with his affinity for the Laurel strip, seems a bit more appealing at 9-2 despite the bump up in class// Verrazano, the possible favorite once Pool #1 of the Future Wager closes Sunday, is now part-owned by the mega breeding and racing operation Coolmore. It seems business will go on as usual with his handling and preparations for the Derby// Owner/trainer Jeff Greenhill admitted he is getting a lot of calls to sell Mac the Man, winner of the two most recent 3-year-old stakes at Turfway. So far he is avoiding the temptation and just wants “to train a good horse”// more…

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #1:

Click here for Brisnet PPs

Click here for DRF PPs

Upcoming Stakes:

Saturday 2/9/13

Miracle Wood Stakes

Laurel Park

One Mile

Entries

Articles:

Lots of Triple Crown nominees racing Saturday (The Downey Profile)

Vyjack gearing up for Gotham (DRF)

Greenhill would rather train Mac the Man than sell him (DRF)

Dynamic Strike perfect at Miracle Wood distance (DRF)

Coolmore purchases interest in Verrazano (DRF)

Kentucky Derby Future Wager has standouts among ‘all others’ (DRF)

Talking 3-year-olds (DRF Blog)

Workouts:

Vyjack- AQU- 5F- 1.00:73- B- 1/2

Quotes and Tweets:

"Big maiden winner @OaklawnRacing Kale's Kourage is so rambunctious he cut his nose on top of his stall door. Crew has it padded now"- Rolly Hoyt via Twitter