3/4/23
13 GP The Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) [KYD] 
$400.000 3YO 1 1/16m Dirt 122lbs
Down to SoFla and the TC Trail, as we take in a great field of twelve sophomores set to go a mile and a sixteenth in The Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII), and this obviously has ramifications towards that first Saturday in May. This is an absolute stellar group, but everyone should have a good barometer of where they stand going up against the likes of Gorogue Laga, and he is going to be my top selection. Throw out that first-time-starter race (which we all must do) and his only “blemish” is a second in the BC Juv (GI) where he closed to be the runner up… some blemish, huh? Until they get past him, they are behind him… I’m going to go right next door and put War Of Backroads in the second spot, and second seems to be the keyword with this one. Five seconds from seven starts? That’s hard to do… I’ll look for Terabyte to be in the middle of things today as well… he’s another with a single win and a slew of close calls, but I think his best racing is in front of him. Best of luck to everyone involved!
Here’s The Field –
Upset the applecart getting home first in the Holy Bull (GIII) at 66/1 odds. He also won the Sapling as a 2yo, just missed in the Iroquois (GIII)… you get the picture, he can run with any type and must be given a big look in this one as well, although I don’t see you getting those type of odds.
Has been making a good living vs. PA-bred types and won on the SA sod last out taking an open Alw race, so it’s back to the main track and they go after the big money. He’s run well on the main track, so I wouldn’t let that bother you when you go to the window, but can he run with this type of competition?
Another from that Holy Bull (GIII) race, where he found traffic and still closed a late gap to be sixth only beaten a length in that one. He doesn’t seem to like the come-from-behind ways, so maybe that place him a big closer to the pace and he shakes things up.
The big barn has a trio in this one, and you can give this one a big look when placing bets. He never seems to run a bad race, but only has a pair of wins, getting home on top in the Frost King at WO, back in the fall. He closed well to be third in the Withers (GIII) at AQU, and I’d expect him to be in the picture today as well.
Closed a late gap to be second (DH) in the Holy Bull (GIII) and he’s in the middle of every race he runs in. I love the way he was running late last out, and he’s got me in his camp… I think he’s a horse on the improve and I’d look for a huge effort today.
Very solid gelding that never runs a bad one and followed-up his win in the Gun Runner with a second (DH) in the fore-mentioned Holy Bull (GIII). He had the lead into the lane, and he does love it on the front end… but he tired in that race, and it seems to be his way of late. Can he hold on here?
Second part of the Mb entry and this one only has five starts, but he’s won three of five including the Smarty Jones. He was WAY back in the Southwest (GIII), and although he passed half of the field late, he has to be a bit more tactical… I think.
Changes hands after that third in the Pasco at TAM, and you have to see an up-side here, this being his third start. Solid am gallops over the GP surface, so it looks like they were aiming at this race. He looks to be any type, in good hands… and may have some odds.
SCRATCH
Could you imagine… a nose there, a length here, a quarter length over there… he has five seconds, three in his last three starts, including the Withers (GIII). Can he find just a little bit more and bring home the lion’s share today? I think you have to give him a big look.
Sold for a shiny nickel after that front-end runner-up effort in the Swale (GIII), over this track. He broke maiden in a quick race so you can understand the appeal, that is for sure. So, they jump into the TC Trail with a lightly raced horse that looks like he could be the real deal.
SCRATCH
COZMAN 9 / 10 / 5 Willie’s Green Card 9 / 2 / 10
Categories: TC 2021-2023
