Venue for March 2
 

Might as well post this early so that everyone can get a running start for next Saturday's contest. In my mind there is no question that we should go to Gulfstream Park for the Fountain of Youth day.

The racing secretary has put together a card that includes a total of 9 graded stakes races, including the Fountain of Youth with KY Derby qualifying points and the Davona Dale, with KY Oaks qualifying points available.

Entries haven't been drawn yet, so I'm not certain of first post or the number of races we should play. Suffice it to say it should be a great day of racing. Fox Sports will be carrying a number of these races on their new TV series of Saturday at the Races from 3 to 6 PM Eastern.

If you want to get a feel of the likely fields, the following link will get you to the nominations and pp's for nominees for each of the stakes races on the card. Here's the link:
http://www.gulfstreampark.com/racing/horsemen/stakes

From what I read this morning Maximus Mischief is out of the FOY.

I'm afraid you're correct, RQ. From the trainer's comments after his workout and discussion with the vet, it sounds as if he may be out of training for a while. This time of year, that could mean the end of his Derby dreams.

Steve Byk posted this list of FOY probables earlier today:

Admire (Romans)
Bourbon War (Hennig)
Code of Honor (McGaughey)
Everfast (Romans)
Frosted Grace (Ritvo)
Hidden Scroll (Mott)
Signalman (McPeek)
Union’s Destiny (Avila)
Vekoma (Weaver)

The entries for Saturday's card at Gulfstream have just recently been posted, and it is a looong day of racing. The first race will be at 11:30 AM Eastern, and the 14th race (you read that correctly, the 14th race) won't go off until 6:06 PM. How many trips some players will need to make to the closest ATM is anyone's guess.

I don't think that any of us have the stamina for that type of marathon, nor should our scorers be faced with so daunting a task. I'd like to somewhat abbreviate our contest card.

The first of the graded stakes races is Race 4, the Grade 3 Palm Beach. Races 4 through 8 are all graded stakes. In the middle of the card are a straight maiden on the turf for 3 year old fillies, and then a straight maiden on the main track for 3 year old colts. The final 4 races are all graded stakes, including the Davona Dale and the Fountain of Youth.

My proposal is that we start with Race 4 at 1:00 PM Eastern and play the balance of the card from there. While that is an 11 race card, I just don't think we need to reduce it further, especially since each of the races provide what I think will be interest for handicappers. Even the two maiden races in this group have a number of entrants from very high profile trainers and I think are worthy of inclusion.

I'd welcome any comment or reaction, but that's my current preference.

Perfect. Eleven is no problem. Wait until we get to KY Derby day and the other big days that are loooonnnngggg. I'm glad to spend those cards at Sofa Downs where I can occupy myself with other things in between those long drags of 40-50 minutes between races. And Gulfstream is the champ at those long drags even when it's not a big stakes day!