RTKYD'11 WEEK 5: Fountain of Youth

One of the more important milestones this week, the Fountain of Youth over 9f at GP, worth $400K. Also on the same card, the Hutcheson but over 7f and worth only $100k.Almost all the talk regarding Saturday’s 3-year-old stakes at Gulfstream has focused on the return of To Honor and Serve and his predicted battle with Soldat in the FoY. For these two seasoned stakes horses, along with Gourmet Dinner, the FoY is a race they are expected to win or at least be right there. I am going for Gourmet Dinner. Already qualified for KYD11 by virtue of his win in the Delta Down Jackpot last November, he ran well for 3rd in the Holy Bull last start, Ramon D. takes the ride, and working the house down. 5/1 in the morning line, I rated him on top at 13/4, so 2.7 units the win.

In other racing news this week 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta was bred Feb. 23 to Darley stallion Bernardini. And Gulfstream Park went on the offensive in its dispute with Calder Casino & Race Course Feb. 24 when it said it plans to race year-round during the 12 months beginning July 1. There is also a dispute over Suffolk Downs track in Massachusetts.

Post script: Gourmet Dinner settled midfield, made a menacning move on the turn but was well held for 2nd. (Soldat 113, Gourmet Dinner 107, To Honor & Serve 101)
Bal: 8:1-2-1 .13/.5; win: out 26.5, in 4.2, bal-21.3


RTKYD 11 Top 20 (Uncle Mo still to appear)
Jan/Feb 104; Mar/apr 106; May/Jun 108. Gr 2: -1, Gr 3 -2, NG, -3; lim 110 lbs; margins: 3pts/L). KY Winner will earn 124

Soldat (26/2.47/0.69) 113 1st Fountain of Youth 2/26: wired, did repel 2 incl THAS
Silver Medallion 113 1st El Camino Real GG 2/12; stong effort to upset Comma TT Top
The Factor 111 1st San Vincente 2/20
Anthony's Cross 111 1st Lewis SA 2/12 turned tables on Tapizar after 3rd Sham [78.5]
Santiva 110 2nd Risen Star 2/19
Mucho Macho Man 109 1st Risen Star 2/19, after 4th (93.5) Holy Bull, 1/30
Flashpoint 109 Hutcheson (7f) 2/26: sat on pace, then romped in
Archarcharch 109 1st Southwest 2/21
Sway Away 109 2nd San Vincente 2/20
Jakesam 108.5 2nd El Camino Real GG 2/12, tried to wire it
Brethren 108 1st Davis TAM 2/12)-1/2 bro. Super Saver, stalked, v. impressive (Pletcher/Dominguez)
Dialed In 108 1st Holy Bull FG 1/30-late closer at only 2nd race start
Wilkinson 108 (1st Lecomte 1/22)-closed determinedly, but only got a low Beyer
Riveting Reason 108 (2nd Lewis, 2/12)-tried hard
Pants On Fire 108 (2nd Lecomte 1/22)-led all the way until the post
Gourmet Dinner 107 2nd FOY (Soldat) after 106.5 3rd Holy Bull 1/30
Sweet Ducky 106.5 (2nd HolyBull FG 1/30)-battled on at odds
JP's Gusto 106, 2nd Southwest 2/21
Rogue Roamnce 105 3rd Risen Star 2/19
Premier Pegasus 103 3rd San Vincente 2/20
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Positive Response 103 3rd El Camino Real GG 2/12. fair effort
Elite Alex 102 3rd Southwest 2/21
To Honor & Serve 101, 3rd FOY 2/26
Too Expensive 99 (2nd Davis TAM 2/12)
Comma To The Top 99 upl El Camino Real GG 2/12. bumping duel with Silver Medallion
Quail Hill 94 (3rd Lewis SA 2/12)
Clubhouse Ride 94 (2nd Sham, 1/15) no match but clear 2nd
Tapizar 93.5 upl Lewis (refused to settle) after 1st Sham, 1/15 [110]
Watch Me 91.5 (3rd Davis TAM 2/12)
Action Ready 91.5(3rd Lecomte 1/22)-weakened
Travelin Man 87 2nd Hutcheson 7f 2/26
Little Drama 82 3rd Htucheson 7f 2/26
Justin Philip 64(last Lecomte 1/22)-even money fav came up empty [blinkers on]
SOLDAT