Major Weekend Races and Selections 2/25/12

Major Weekend Races


This weekend is headlined by the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, featuring the matchup between Union Rags, Algorithms, and Discreet Dancer. Gulfstream hosts a big weekend including the Sabin in which Royal Delta makes her anticipated return. Fair Grounds plays host to a huge weekend including the Risen Star featuring El Padrino and the Rachel Alexandra featuring Believe You Can. Santa Anita hosts the San Carlos a phenomenal sprint race featuring The Factor and Amazombie.

The weekend starts with the Fountain of Youth a major Florida and Kentucky Derby prep. The race starts with Union Rags. Union Rags is making his first start of the year, since his runner up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Union Rags is my early selection for the Kentucky Derby, and for him to stay atop that list I do not think he needs to win, in fact I do not think he will win, but I think he will get a lot out of this race. I want to see a good effort from Union Rags but the imposing young colt may need a race and if he does it is ok. The race also features the Todd Pletcher duo of Algorithms and Discreet Dancer. Algorithms was victorious in the Holy Bull last time out defeating Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Hansen. Algorithms will be near the lead, or right off it, but he is on a faster track today and I think he may have trouble duplicating that effort. Discreet Dancer is two for two and I loved his last race, it was extremely impressive and I think he will win the Fountain of Youth. He has done nothing wrong so far and looked like he will have no problem stretching out on Sunday. Casual Trick is getting attention because he has a chance to get back on a fast track, but I think he is a cut below these horses. Selections

1. Discreet Dancer

2. Union Rags

3. Neck N’ Neck

The Sabin is a short field but it features Royal Delta the impressive winner of the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic last time out, and Awesome Maria who is making her first start since May. I do not like either horse, Royal Delta never runs fresh, and Awesome Maria can take more than one start to get going. I love Groupie Doll in this spot, her last race was phenomenal. Boys at Tusconova is a serious racehorse, and she ran really well. The other two horses in the race are likely non-factors.

1. Groupie Doll

2. Royal Delta

3. Awesome Maria



With the weekend full of other stakes races here are my selections

The San Carlos

1. The Factor

2. Amazombie

3. Sway Away

Risen Star

1. Shared Property

2. Z Dager

3. Optimizer

The Mineshaft

1. Thiskyhasnolimit

2. Tres Borrachos

3. Mister Marti Gras

The Rachel Alexandra

1. Table Three Ten

2. Summer Applause

3. Believe You Can

Fair Grounds Handicap

1. Smart Bid

2. Ioya Bigtime

3. Mr. Vegas

Tampa Bay Stakes

1. Hoofit

2. Moryba

3. Guys Reward

The Very One

1. Keertana

2. Casablana Smile

3. Hasay

Davona Dale

1. Grace Hall

2. Nuffsaid Nuffsaid

3. Disposablepleasure

Those are my weekend selections!