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Weekend Winners Club

Feb 28 2019

Gulfstream Sat. Grid of the Week: Fountain of Youth G2, Davona Dale and 7 other graded stakes races

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Saturday, Mar.2, 2019. Gulfstream Park has one of its biggest race days of the year, with counting 9 graded stakes races sandwiching two MSW3’s and following the 1st 3 races. Stakes racing ends with the Davona Dale G2 for 3yo fillies, Fountain of Youth G2 for 3yos, and the Mac Diamarda G2 on turf.
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The highlight for 3yo followers will be the Fountain of Youth and Davona Dale, starring Jaywalk who has rattled off 4 straight wins including the last two G1’s, the last of which was the BC Juvenile Fillies in November, and will be at heavy odds. It looks like the other fillies are all running for 2nd in the Davona Dale.
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The FOY G2 however looks much more competitive. A field of 11 mostly non-established colts will duke it out for 50 points and an automatic Kentucky Derby slot. The 20 for second place will come in handy as well. Most of these have been up and down or lightly raced and unproven against stakes competition.
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The main exception is Signalman, in his first race of the year after placing 2nd in the Keeneland Breeders Futurity G2, 3rd in the BC Juvenile G1, then 1st in the Kentucky Jockey Club G2 last November. Signalman is currently ranked in the Derby Dozen.
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Signalman edged out Plus Que Parfait in the Kentucky Jockey Club G2 Nov.24 2018. Coady photo

Signalman edged out Plus Que Parfait in the Kentucky Jockey Club G2 Nov.24 2018. Coady photo

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Vekoma is undefeated in his 2 races including the Nashua G3 at Aqueduct last year, and has top Grid power rating.
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Hidden Scroll is the favorite after winning his only race, a maiden mile on a sloppy track here at Gulfstream in January, giving him top EP in the field. Global Campaign is undefeated in his 2 races as well, a maiden and optional claiming.
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Everfast rebounded from a disastrous stakes campaign last year for 2nd place in the Holy Bull G2 here a month ago. Epic Dreamer is the only other from that race in the field, having faded to 4th in the Bull. The rest as mentioned are highly unproven in graded stakes except for Bourbon War and Code of Honor.
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Bourbon War has won 2 of 3 races but the only stakes was a disappointing 4th in the Remsen G2, his only stakes race, and has top LP in the Grid. Code of Honor looked full of possibilities after a 2nd in the Champagne G1, but fell flat as the favorite in his only race this year, the Mucho Macho Man. He is top 5 in all Grid categories in this race.
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Top FOY picks:
Signalman
Vekoma
Bourbon War
Hidden Scroll
Code of Honor
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Check out the Gulfstream Grid free to make your winning picks for all the races.
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The Mac Diamarda G2 could be interesting but there’s not much speed at all in it, making it look chalky with English Channel and Zulu Alpha, and Village King getting their way near the pace. But top LP belongs to Melmich at 20-1 ML and other closers have good odds.
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Good Luck!
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