2012 Fountain of Youth Stakes Horse Race
It looks like the biggest question leading up to the 2012 Kentucky Derby will probably be answered at the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Is Union Rags a real contender and if so, what about Hansen?
Union Rags: Fountain of Youth
As a two year old he already exceeded his expectations based on pedigree. Bred from Dixie Union and Tempo who haven't really produced any great race horses, it is somewhat of a big surprise the Union Rags has been as good as he has. But from a visual perspective, he was also a physically imposing monster who at the age of two, could have easily been confused for a three year old Derby contender. The question Michael Matz must be asking himself is whether or not Union Rags will he continue to improve after each race or did he peak too soon? How good can Union Rags get? Recently jockey Javier Castellano decided he would ride Algorithms and not Union Rags. Does he know something we don't?
Hopefully we will find out at the 2012 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park as he squares off against Algorithms and Discreet Dancer. Boy that would be a heck of a prep race to get horse racing fans ready for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Algorithms: Fountain of Youth
Jockey Javier Castellano must have been pretty impressed during the 2012 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park because he will be riding the undefeated Algorithms again in the grade 2 Fountain of Youth. Algorithms is a leading contender for the 2012 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs coming off a huge win in the Holy Bull Stakes over Hansen and My Adonis. You can watch Algorithms LIVE on NBC February 26th, 2012.
Hansen: Gotham Stakes
Hansen went from leading contender to middle of the pack on my top 20 chart. Although he did put a respectable race in the Holy Bull Stakes by placing 2nd to Algorithms, I am a true believer that winners win and well, 2nd place is habitual in horse racing. By sending Hansen off to the Gotham Stakes, I get the feeling that Michael Maker wants to regroup in a race where he can race some weaker opponents and cash in on an easy win. Current propables for the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct are Pretension, Tiger Walk, Consortium and Speightcity. None of whom are currently considered as true Triple Crown contenders. Perhaps if Union Rags can win here we will get the chance to see this LIVE on NBC in the Florida Derby, March 30th, 2012.
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Road to the Kentucky Derby: Seven Weeks
2012 Online Horse Betting
The road to the 2012 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is we on its way and with seven weeks to go until the Louisiana and Florida Derby, online horse racing fans are starting to get a good look at who just might be in the mix. Over the next 11 weeks, we will follow Union Rags, Fountain of Youth, Algorithms, Hansen and Could My Adonis who will be racing in the 2012 Road to the Kentucky Derby on NBC.
Santa Anita Derby
The 2012 Santa Anita Derby is set to take place April 7th, 2012 at Santa Anita Park. This Grade 1 Stakes horse race generally draws a strong field of West coast based thoroughbreds however with 6 weeks to go until race day, the field remains wide open. So far we are assuming the I'll Have Another, Fly Lexis Fly and Creative Cause are hoping to race at Santa Anita Park. Bob Baffert also hopes to race Liason who's sire Indian Charlie won the 1998 Santa Anita Derby and then finished 3rd in the 1998 Kentucky Derby. Coming off a win in the Cash Call Futurity in December, Liason will definitely be a horse worth watching this spring.
San Felipe Stakes
March 10th will feature the final Kentucky Derby prep race before the Santa Anita Derby. This grade 2 horse race is worth $300,000 at a length of 1 and 1/16 Miles and could feature Creative Cause. Fresh off a break since finishing 3rd in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, trainer Mike Harrington has high hopes for this Kentucky bred sire of Giant's Causeway. Already this season, Creative Cause has earned $521,000 with multiple graded stakes wins and a 2nd place finish at the Del Mar Futurity behind Drill. (also owned by Baffert)
Steven Asmussen is also likely to send a horse or two to the 2012 San Felipe Stakes. His Kentucky bred sire of Bluegrass Cat by the name of Sabercat is stabled at Santa Anita and coming off a big win at the Delta Jackpot.
The road to the 2012 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is we on its way and with seven weeks to go until the Louisiana and Florida Derby, online horse racing fans are starting to get a good look at who just might be in the mix. Over the next 11 weeks, we will follow Union Rags, Fountain of Youth, Algorithms, Hansen and Could My Adonis who will be racing in the 2012 Road to the Kentucky Derby on NBC.
Santa Anita Derby
The 2012 Santa Anita Derby is set to take place April 7th, 2012 at Santa Anita Park. This Grade 1 Stakes horse race generally draws a strong field of West coast based thoroughbreds however with 6 weeks to go until race day, the field remains wide open. So far we are assuming the I'll Have Another, Fly Lexis Fly and Creative Cause are hoping to race at Santa Anita Park. Bob Baffert also hopes to race Liason who's sire Indian Charlie won the 1998 Santa Anita Derby and then finished 3rd in the 1998 Kentucky Derby. Coming off a win in the Cash Call Futurity in December, Liason will definitely be a horse worth watching this spring.
San Felipe Stakes
March 10th will feature the final Kentucky Derby prep race before the Santa Anita Derby. This grade 2 horse race is worth $300,000 at a length of 1 and 1/16 Miles and could feature Creative Cause. Fresh off a break since finishing 3rd in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, trainer Mike Harrington has high hopes for this Kentucky bred sire of Giant's Causeway. Already this season, Creative Cause has earned $521,000 with multiple graded stakes wins and a 2nd place finish at the Del Mar Futurity behind Drill. (also owned by Baffert)
Steven Asmussen is also likely to send a horse or two to the 2012 San Felipe Stakes. His Kentucky bred sire of Bluegrass Cat by the name of Sabercat is stabled at Santa Anita and coming off a big win at the Delta Jackpot.
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