Gulfstream Park | Race 14 | Dirt | 8.5 Furlongs
$400,000 Grade II Fountain of Youth S.
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#1 General Jim *SCR*
Missed a work due to coughing last week and decision was made today to scratch out. Has shown some versatility as a winner both two turns on turf as well as sprinting on dirt so will be an interesting one to follow going forward.
#2 Legacy Isle
Kicked off perfect winning first 3 races before a forwardly-spent 79h/69 DTOP prompted regression. Did well to hang on for a REV in that hiccup though and now over 60 days removed from that DTOP, becomes eligible to run back to full potential here. Typically breaks well so could see a favorable trip in the first flight here into turn #1. Nice longshot to have in exotic wagers.
#3 Shadow Dragon
Closer type from first asking when going beyond a COMP and triggering a REV on debut. Off the NPT, put up a big -10 dirt speed although the 58/68 would project him with a ton of work to do late and needing a full meltdown here. The enticing thing is that although unlikely, he does cover a certain scenario well and becomes logical for Pick N inclusion or even a Win Bet if offering huge odds.
#4 Forte
Projects as heavy favorite off the 73h/77h BC win. The resume of several 70+ 4F / 70+ Final Figures isn't something the rest of this field has touched. Best chance to beat lies in the “BC Bounce” angle where we've time and time again seen runners return from wintering to need a race before getting back to best. Still, even with that thought in mind, anything over even money would seem to be plenty fair here.
#5 Il Miracolo
Triggered REV in last but running line looks a bit disappointing as more Final would be expected when getting the lower 4F Figure out of a big 75/65h NPT move the race before. Looks to be in over head with the mid-60 Finals well below par for these rivals.
#6 Blazing Sevens
Good incremental progress through 4 starts with dirt spread going +9 to +5 to -5 REV then matching the -5 in last while also bumping 4F/Final. Sheets show nothing but upward trajectory thus far but question will be ability to run to potential off the long break or needing one.
#7 Mage
Huge debut line triggering the 75h/75 COMP indicating high hopes for second out and a bright future in whole. We're almost auto-backing a runner like this in most situations but the optimistic placing here gives some pause and need for value. We've never actually gotten to see this one pass a rival before so there's question marks about greenness with this big step-up and stretch-out. Will be interesting to see how much support runner gets here. If he's truly 8/1 he's worth backing on this debut running line, but I'm thinking he'll be much shorter and there's too many intangible question marks at play here to trust under 5/1.
#8 Rocket Can
Some good juvenile conditioning with the NPT/REV/DTOP string before the break. Returned from wintering to a 62h/69 SOFT victory leaving runner fresh for expected 2nd out improvement today. Primed to run to full potential today with the only question remaining where is that ceiling at and what's the fair price to find it? I'm a little more optimistic than the ML at 6/1 here.
#9 Cyclone Mischief
Worked up to a blowout 74/73 win here at one turn before bouncing hard in last. Looks like this one's found its current ceiling. If given an excuse for last and bounces back to that 2-back ability, would be plenty competitive here. That said, he's won 2 romps and folded up the 3 other times so there's some trust issues looking for the redemption run here. Could consider for double-digits.
#10 Dangerous Ride
Most experienced runner in field suddenly more compressed to 73h/70h in last off the NPT after a long string of more forwardly-spent tries. That sudden uptick came when inheriting the early lead against weaker. Not a real comparable spot here moving way back up the ladder and drawing the outside with a short run into the first turn.
4-8-2