The Road to the Kentucky Derby: Fountain of Youth

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.