Saturday's 11th race (5:35pm EST) at Gulfstream Park is the $400k G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles. A field of 11 is scheduled to go postward, but trainer Mark Casse plans on scratching #9 - Sky Captain in favor of an easier spot next weekend, but mainly due to the bad Post Position the son of Sky Mesa drew in the FOY.
The Morning Line prohibitive 9-5 favorite is #3 - Violence (9-5) who is 3 for 3 lifetime and makes his much anticipated 3 y.o. debut for trainer Todd Pletcher. On paper his main rivals are #10 - Falling Sky
(6-1) who comes in after winning the G3 Sam F. Davis @ Tampa Downs and #4 - Majestic Hussar (6-1) who ruined Palace Malice's 3 y.o. debut in the slop last out.
HOW I SEE IT: GP 8.5f races have been very kind to early speed types (54% in the past week; 42% for the meet). This bodes well for Majestc Hussar, Falling Sky, #5 - Elmutahid
(20-1) and #8 - Speak Logistics
(12-1). This leaves #1 - Orb
(12-1) and Violence to take up the chase from mid-pack. Now do you really think that TAP has Violence cranked-up for this one?! I think not!
The Play: $2 Tri Part-Wheel 4, 5, 8 w/ 3 w/ 1, 4, 5, 8, 9
That's Majestic Hussar, Elmutahid and Speak Logistics
w/ Violence w/ Orb, Majestic Hussar, Elmutahid, Speak Logistics and He's Had Enough ($24)
Selections for all 9 races on the Laurel Park on Saturday (Feb. 23rd) card, including a BEST BET and LONGSHOT PLAY of the Day, see Maryland's Own GQ.