Update
Trust N Luck won Saturday’s $200,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream by 5 1/4 lengths in his 3-year-old debut. Next stop is the Florida Derby on March 15, then likely straight to Louisville. “I want a fresh horse for the Kentucky Derby,” said trainer Ralph Ziade, who’s never had a Derby horse.
– Lion Tamer was an easy six-length winner of the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes. Todd Pletcher said Lion Tamer “might be one of the best horses I’ve ever trained.”
– Owners Ken and Sara Ramsey had an up-and-down weekend: Their Ten Cents a Shine ran fifth in the Fountain of Youth, a day before Badge of Silver romped by 10 lengths in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
– Atswhatimtalknbout (28-1) won an allowance race Thursday at Santa Anita by three-quarters of a length.
Upcoming
Friday: Palm Beach Stakes, $100,000 (Grade III), Gulfstream 1 1/8 miles, turf.
Saturday: Best Turn, $75,000, Aqueduct 6 furlongs.
Sunday: Baldwin Stakes, $100,000 (Grade III), Santa Anita 6 1/2 furlongs, turf.
March 1: Battaglia Memorial, Turfway Park 1 1/16 miles.
March 1: Southwest, Oaklawn Park, 1 mile.
March 1: San Rafael (Grade II), Santa Anita, 1 mile.
News and notes
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The current Kentucky Derby betting favorite is “None of the Above,” which is not the name of a horse. In the first of three future wagering pools for the Derby, bettors had the choice of what were deemed the top 23 horses. The 24th choice is every other 3-year-old nominated for the Derby, more than 400 horses. That choice was bet down to 2-1. Further rounds of Derby futures betting will be conducted March 13-16 and April 3-6.
– Badge of Silver carries the lowest odds (11-1) of any horse after his romp in the Risen Star. Unbeaten Sky Mesa is 12-1. John Ward, who trained 2001 Derby winner Monarchos, says Sky Mesa’s next start could be the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream on March 15 or the Gotham at Aqueduct on March 16. Sky Mesa wrenched an ankle just before the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last October.
– Regent of Merit won a Gulfstream allowance race Saturday by five lengths, giving owner Calumet Farm a chance to return to the Derby for the first time since 1992. Calumet has produced eight Kentucky Derby winners–but none since Forward Pass in 1968–and two Triple Crown champions. Regent of Merit is 3-for-4.
– Pletcher’s Bham has a fever and is likely to miss the Triple Crown campaign. . . . Seattle Hoofer is off the Derby trail because of knee problems. . . . Toccet is back in training last week after being out with sore ankles.
Mark Shapiro.
Pool 1 future odds
1. Apalachian Thunder 62-1
2. Atswhatimtalknbout 28-1
3. Badge of Silver 11-1
4. Domestic Dispute 19-1
5. Empire Maker 12-1
6. Funny Cide 93-1
7. Indy Dancer 18-1
8. Kafwain 12-1
9. Lion Tamer 20-1
10. Man Among Men 29-1
11. Minister Wild Cat 24-1
12. Offlee Wild 34-1
13. Ozzee Cat 50-1
14. Peace Rules 66-1
15. Saintly Look 65-1
16. Seattle Hoofer 42-1
17. Senior Swinger 43-1
18. Siberland 99-1
19. Sky Mesa 12-1
20. Ten Cents a Shine 34-1
21. Toccet 12-1
22. Trust N Luck 19-1
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23. Whywhywhy 62-1
24. All other 3-year-olds 2-1
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