Gulfstream Park: Kentucky Derby Prep Week Thursday Analysis

The big story out of Gulfstream Park this week is the Fountain of Youth. The Kentucky Derby prep race is the 2nd at Gulfstream and is the lead up to the Florida Derby.

Fountain of Youth as Derby Prep

Historically the Fountain of Youth Stakes has played a sizeable role on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The race has produced a baker’s dozen of Derby winners. However, the race has gone cold of late, failing to produce a winner since Orb did it in 2013.

The 2023 edition hopes to end the decade drought with notable Derby hopefuls. None more optimistic than 2 year old champion Forte who looks to put a stranglehold on a division that has seen many of his top competitors from last year off the Derby trail.

Derby Prep Coverage

Along with every card from Gulfstream Park this weekend, Betting News will bring coverage of all 4 Derby Preps this weekend.

• Fountain of Youth (Gulfstream Park)
• Gotham (Aqueduct)
• San Felipe (Santa Anita)
• John Battaglia (Turfway Park)

Gulfstream Park Thursday Full Card Selections

Post: 12:10 PM ET; $35k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 9

• #1 MYSTIC SUNRISE (12-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed. The turf has been dominated by front runners of late.
• #6 ALWAYS ROYAL (5-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #5 LIGHT AND PATH (6-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 LOVE MAMI LOVE (9-5) appears to be a major player in this race. She will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 5 – 4

Gulfstream Park- Race 2

Post: 12:40 PM ET; $24k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on all weather track; Entries: 7

• #1 STRONG EMBRACE (4-1) is the top pick. She looks to be the class of the field.
• #3 BELLA MIURA (9-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #7 TRUE BLUE PEARL (4-1) has the top overall power rating in the group. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #6 ZEN (3-1) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 7 – 6

Gulfstream Park- Race 3

Post: 1:09 PM ET; $32k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 SURPRISE PAYOFF (3-1) looks best here. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #8 SOLOMONS GOLD (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #6 MINELLA (6-1) should improve off the first start and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He was able to handle the conditions on debut and even a little improvement puts him right in the mix.
• #1 EVENTFUL (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. He seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 2 – 8 – 6 – 1

Gulfstream Park- Race 4

Post: 1:40 PM ET; $19k Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 ANOTHER DUKE (7-2) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Yates and Vasquez. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 ENSIGN PARKER (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He comes into the race in really good form. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #6 ROYAL KITTEN (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one comes into the race off some really nice recent starts.
• #1 FULTON STREET (7-2) isn't without hope. He has races that would get the job done here. This one goes out for the D'Angelo barn and gets Morales in the irons.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 6 – 1

Gulfstream Park- Race 5

Post: 2:10 PM ET; $50k Maiden Optional Claiming going 5 furlongs on all weather track; Entries: 8

• #3 SIENA LADY (7-2) should improve off the first start and is the top pick. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one goes out for the Pinchin barn and gets Saez in the irons.
• #5 LIANA B (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. She has the talent to get the job done here. This one also fits on class.
• #4 STAKE A CLAIM (9-2) could get the right setup in this race. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #2 KISS UPON A STAR (5-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Casse and Ortiz. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 2

Gulfstream Park- Race 6

Post: 2:40 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 5 furlongs on all weather track; Entries: 10

• #9 ADIOS ASHER (4-1) looks best here. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 EXECUTIVE SEARCH (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #4 INHALATION (3-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He seems to fit well enough here. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #8 LOYAL LOUIE (8-1) isn't without hope. He could get the right setup in this race.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 4 – 8

Gulfstream Park- Race 7

Post: 3:09 PM ET; $87k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

• #6 MINAUN (5-2) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #1 NOTA BENE (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She seems to fit well enough here. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #8 CHOOSE JOY (8-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #7 LOVE AND MONEY (2-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot and may just be quick enough to clear early.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 8 – 7

Gulfstream Park- Race 8

Post: 3:38 PM ET; $86k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 MR. RIPPLE (7-2) is the top pick. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #4 POINT PROVEN (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 CLASSIC CATCH (2-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #6 GAME CHANGE (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 1 – 6

Gulfstream Park- Race 9

Post: 4:07 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 14

• #12 DEMOGORGON (7-2) looks best here. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #8 ANDIE ONE (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 LOVE MY JOB (15-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. She seems to fit well enough here.
• #11 WALKS LIKE A LADY (8-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 12- 8 – 5 – 11