Gulfstream Park Picks: Fountain of Youth Saturday LP5 ticket on March 5

The Gulfstream Park Championship Meet arrives in March in high style! With the addition of Tapeta, plus the MT and Turf Course, it gives bettors a myriad of options!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action related to the Derby Trail! The South Florida Series turns its attention to today's Grade 2 running of the Fountain of Youth Stakes. A $400k contest, it has KYD148 Points ready to be distributed ... 50-20-10-5 ... to those that finish 1st through 4th. We will have a complete rundown of this 2nd leg of the Sunshine State Derby Trail, plus a Late Pick 5 ticket, which is sure to be a bet! 

It is a good time for some of the greatest racing that North America has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

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LATE PICK 5…

LEG 1: (Race 9: Turf, 1 Mile, Honey Fox S. (G3), $150k, F&M 4+)

The Late Pick 5 sequence on this Super Saturday is going to be nothing short of a doozy … Taking to the GP Turf Course (which I am still convinced is just painted dirt), the Honey Fox is a Grade 3 fixture this time of year. I want to tip a turfer that has solid grass experience, and when it comes to a top selection, I like Todd Pletcher’s Jouster #3. During her 3-yr-old filly career this daughter of Noble Mission amassed a nice record, and it started on this very track. Pletcher watched her blossom, and coming back after a major break, I think she can move forward with the steady Luis Saez back in the irons. Let’s use her on top, but I also like the look of a couple of other entries. Trainer Brian Lynch’s Gift List #6, and Bill Mott’s Wakanaka #8 are promising … The former is an experienced filly that got a tough set of breaks in the Pegasus F&M Turf (G3) in late January. Julien Leparoux did his very best, and I think this cutback in distance might be of assistance. As for Mott’s runner, her dam traces her line through Kodiac (GB), but her experience has mainly resided on the grass in Italy. She came to Mott’s stable last year, and her debut in the Pegasus WC (G3) was not a poor effort. It was her 1st race in the U.S., and now Mott tabs Jose Ortiz to ride. This is a shrewd move … Let’s go 3-Deep here, and that should suit!

Selections: 3/6/8 (3-Deep)

LEG 2: (Race 10: Dirt, 1 Mile, Gulfstream Park Mile S. (G2), $200k, 4+)

It is rematch time, and I am looking forward to seeing Todd Pletcher’s Fearless #4 and Bill Mott’s Speaker’s Corner #3 go head-to-head. Last time, in the Grade 3 Fred Hopper S., it was Mott who got the better of Pletcher. Now, the tables will turn, and I like the chance at some redemption. Pletcher’s gelding by Ghostzapper is not going to get stuck down on the rail, and with Luis Saez riding once again, I think this one is a “Single” for sure. Mott got the leg up last time, but it will not be the case again. Repole has a game winner in their stable, and the venerable veteran should be able to comeback nicely here. He is fit as can be.

Selections: 4 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 11: Turf, 1 3/8ths, Mac Diarmida S. (G2), $200kk, 4+)

Heading back to the painted grass, we are wading into some tougher races, and this one is no exception. This is a Grade 2 distance test, and make no mistake about it, we could be sitting on a price horse, if all goes to plan. I know that Todd Pletcher (3 entries), and Mike Maker (5 entries) make up the bulk of this field. Frankly, I am only mildly interested in their horses. Of course, Abaan #1 has the power to win, based on the fact that he won the McKnight (G3) last time out. Luis Saez went wire-to-wire, and in the process, never looked back for Eclipse Thoroughbreds. Using him in a horizontal wager like this one has to happen, but I am a fan of 2 others that look intriguing. Phil Serpe’s Safe Conduct #6 has a number of distance races under his saddle, and he just turned 4-yrs-old this year. Even though he will be a big price, I wouldn’t underestimate his abilities because he has competed against some tough customers at Belmont and Woodbine in ’21. I like that Julien Leparoux gets the call, and his riding in situations like these can be inspired. Coming off a rest since December, he looks ready to fire. The other turfer that I want to use is from Jeff Bloom’s outfit, Bloom Racing, and this 7-yr-old was right at the wire in his last race. The John B. Connally Turf Cup (G3) was, for the 1st time in its history, a “Dead Heat.” Fantasioso #7 worked hard in the last furlong, and James Graham just got him up in time. Ignacio Correas has this one headed in the proper direction, and I think he can take a big step forward in this spot. His late-running style really works, and the choice of Brian Hernandez, who happens to be in-town, is excellent. He is going to be a massive price, and will certainly get overlooked. I think these 3 I mentioned give us an excellent opportunity to notch a winner … Now, on with the big show!

Selections: 1/6/7 (3-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 12: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Fountain of Youth S. (G2), $400k, 3, KYD148 Points, 50-20-10-5)

As FOY Week unfolded, we learned the news that Todd Pletcher’s Mo Donegal would not be able to run because of a fever. The HOF conditioner confirmed that his colt would try to point to the G2 Wood Memorial in early April. That scratch shifted things a bit, but it did not change my top selection … Pletcher’s other half of his uncoupled entry, Emmanuel #8. As I stated in my Runners Guide, this lightly-raced colt by More Than Ready was awfully good last time out in a prep for this race at Tampa. He passed the eye test that day in late January in an OC75kn1x event. Winning by 4+ lengths, he was in command from the beginning. I think this budding superstar has what it takes to win a G2 and secure his spot in the gate at Churchill Downs. Once again, Luis Saez and Pletcher work together, and this is a solid match. The colt’s past 2 works look quite good … One other entry that gives me pause is from the barn of Saffie Joseph. I liked A.P.’s Secret #7 because of his ability to set some pretty fast fractions. His last race at Gulfstream back in early January was a “key” jumping off point, and the S. Florida conditioner clearly had this FOY spot in mind. The colt by Cupid has been training very well, and with the addition of Tyler Gaffalione, I think he is a contender at a price. Joseph continues to exhibit impressive skills, so I would not leave him out of the mix. Nothing like a couple of strong opinions to keep this ticket price down … on to the finale!

Selections: 7/8 (2-Deep)

LEG 5: (Race 13: Turf, 1 Mile, Herecomesthebride S. (G3), $125k, 3F)

The younger version of the Honey Fox is this race for 3-yr-old fillies … the Herecomesthebride. A Grade 3, this year’s edition has a full field of 12 (plus an AE) that will be trying to get 2 turns. Luckily, I have left enough in the old kitty to invest heavily here, and we are going to need it … My top choice goes to Graham Motion’s Spendarella #4. Owned by the dignified and efficient Gainesway Stable, this filly is well-bred for the grass by Karakontie (JPN). She broke her maiden on debut at Gulfstream back on 2 Feb., and I was on her then. She track the pace quite well, and with Jose Ortiz in the irons, was able to use that gifted turn-of-foot down the lane. Ortiz is back, and I think she could be another filly star for this fabulous conditioner. Looking right next door in the starting gate, I would not leave out Todd Pletcher’s Beside Herself #5. With 3 races under her saddle already, the Michael Tabor-owned filly by Uncle Mo broke her own maiden last out in a MSW60k, just like her rival. The old angle of 3rd in the cycle looks possible here, and I would never count out Jose’s brother Irad Ortiz. As for some insurance picks, just to hedge a bit, let’s also use Bill Mott’s Mischievous Kiss #2, Mark Casse’s Lemieux #6, Roderick Rodriguez’s Opalina #8, and finally Christophe Clement’s Lia Marina #12. Each of these entries appears to either have some class advantages or is trained by a grass master that could cook up a victory. One quick mention … you will notice an “Also-Eligible” that is entered for Chad Brown called Dolce Zel #13. I would find a way to include her, especially if Irad Ortiz takes the mount. She is well-bred, and comes to GP with some European form. Do not miss her! I will say this, the Herecomesthebride might end up being one of the more competitive, if not the … most competitive contest on the entire card. As Peter Aiello is fond of saying in his race calls when it is overtly contentious, “Who da ya like here?” Let’s hope that one of our picks can close out this card, and get us back to the window to cash!

Selections: 2/4/5/6/8/12/AE-13 (6-Deep)

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Ticket: 3-6-8 / 4 / 1-6-7 / 7-8 / 2-4-5-6-8-12-13(AE)

.50 P5 TICKET COST: $54.00 (does not include the AE)

Enjoy another fab Saturday trackside for the Championship Meet! Best of luck on FOY Day at beautiful Gulfstream Park! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!