Dornoch wins the Fountain of Youth (G2) March 2 at Gulfstream Park (Coglianese)
By The 2YO EdgeMan
It’s hard to believe, but we are less than seven weeks out from the 150th Kentucky Derby. Only eight races remain in North America to earn points for the ‘Greatest Two Minutes in Sports’. Six of them are major preps – the Louisiana Derby this coming Saturday, the Arkansas Derby and Florida Derby on March 30, and the following super Saturday, April 6 is highlighted by the Santa Anita Derby, the Blue Grass Stakes, and the Wood Memorial.
Many of my Edgies have asked who I fancy in the big race. Additionally, many are curious as to which Game of Silks players own the contenders that I like for the event that will be taking place on May 4 at Churchill Downs. So, you ask, I answer!
If you’ve had an opportunity to see my book, ‘Handicapping Two-Year-Old Thoroughbreds’ (available on Amazon), you’ll know that I featured a picture of Dornoch earning his first victory in a 2YO Maiden Special Weight race at Keeneland in October on the front cover. He is tied for second place in Derby Points with 60 and he is my early pick to win the Garland of Roses. In his most recent start, Dornoch captured the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 2, striking the wire 1 ¾ lengths in front of the runner-up, Le Dom Bro. He earned a 102 Equibase Speed Figure for his victory. And as many of you know, Dornoch is a full brother to last year’s Derby champion, Mage. House of Fred Top-10 is the owner of this exciting colt in the Game of Silks.
Tied with Dornoch in the runner-up position in the Derby Points race is Domestic Product. This son of Practical Joke, by way of a Paynter mare, is trained by Chad Brown. He is also coming off of a win, with his last being a score in the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby. He was courageous in that event, winning by only a neck and posting an 82 EBSF. Best of luck to his Silk’s owner – Gibbs Racing.
Only five points behind that pair, tied for fourth position, is Track Phantom, who has already racked up 55 Derby Points. He’s won three of his six lifetime starts for conditioner Steve Asmussen, but he was bested by a ½ length last out in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes back on February 17 at the Fair Grounds. He looks to regain his winning ways this coming Saturday in the Louisiana Derby over the same track. Track Phantom is by the excellent sire, Quality Road, and he does most of his running from the front end. VIPSilks is the proud owner in the Game of Silks and we wish this colt and all of his connections the best going forward.
Another one to keep your eye on is No More Time. As you probably guessed, this dude is by Not This Time and he moved up the Derby Points leaderboard with a very narrow loss, finishing second to Domestic Product earlier this month in the Tampa Bay Derby. He currently boasts 45 points, putting him in seventh place on the leaderboard. I’ll be cheering this colt on, along with Group Silks, his owner in the game.
Two more honorable mentions (no pun intended) go out to Honor Marie and Agate Road. Both of these fellas are entered to run against favored Track Phantom, and others, this coming Saturday in the Louisiana Derby. Honor Marie (4-2-1-0 lifetime) is sired by Honor Code and Agate Road (6-2-3-0) is another fine colt from Quality Road, and this guy is trained by two-time KY Derby winner, Todd Pletcher. As far as the Game of Silks, they are owned by Vshakerfarms and Dynasty Pack Tier 2, respectively.
I’ll keep an eye on these upcoming prep races and will keep you posted with my musings. Take care and be safe.
