One of the best cards in North America this year takes place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday afternoon headlined by the Fountain of Youth (G2). The Derby prep is the finale on a stacked 14-race extravaganza that gets started at 11:30 AM eastern. Amongst the plethora of horizontal wagering opportunities is an all-stakes Pick 4 that covers the final four races on the slate. The marketing team at 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet has opted to make that the final $2M rewards points Hit & Split of the month. For those that have not taken part during the previous cards, remember to register on the promotional landing page.

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.


Race 11: Davona Dale (G2)
Grade: B+
Main Ticket: 8 She Be Smooth; 7 Swing Vote
Backups: 9 On Time Girl

Forecast: There is no doubt that #9 On Time Girl is the one to beat in this one-turn mile event for 3YO fillies, but the tote board is all but certain to show that. The Albaugh Family Stables homebred overcame adversity in the Forward Gal (G3), is 4 for 5 in her career, and draws favorably to the outside, but the value will not be there. I give a pair of young females a legitimate shot to beat her, including top choice #8 She Be Smooth. The Calumet Farm filly was very impressive on debut winning over this same surface and distance last month. She not only relaxed professionally on the inside before finishing full of run late, but ran by a filly that won by 8 in her next start. It is not easy to win over these one-turn mile configurations on debut and I love the move to an outside draw.


Race 12: Honey Fox (G3)
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 1 Silver Moonlight; 3 Classic Q
Backups: 10 Crevalle d’Oro

Forecast: This one-mile turf event for older fillies and mares marks the return of #9 Lush Lips. The Brendan Walsh trainee had an outstanding 3YO season earning nearly $900k, but I am not in love with her off the break. The 4YO drew poorly to the outside and takes on older runners for the first time. She has the upside to get to the wire first, but I prefer a pair that were done more favors at the draw. #1 Silver Moonlight has been freshened up by Saffie Joseph since rattling off 3 consecutive victories to end her 2025 campaign. She loves this course and should get a dream run along the inside under Flavien Prat. #3 Classic Q also is worth a look. Toss her last when she was beaten to the lead and fought the rider through the early stages. I expect the Mark Casse trainee to make the front under John Velazquez, which makes her dangerous over this course.


Race 13: Mac Diarmida (G2)
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Without; 3 Layabout
Backups: 6 Anegada; 9 Tank; 7 Zverev

Forecast: I lack a strong opinion in this 1 3/8-mile test over the Gulfstream sod, but will roll with #2 Without on top. The son of Lope De Vega is eligible for a first-level allowance, but trainer Graham Motion opts to send him out in this spot after a solid runner-up effort last out instead. He draws favorably along the inside and very well could have been sent here from France with this spot always on the mind. #3 Layabout aims to make it 3 wins in a row, but will almost certainly not be on the front end like last time out. The presence of #9 Tank should have jockey David Egan happy to stalk a bit off the pace in this gelding’s eleventh career try. He has proven versatile though giving him a big shot to make it 4 straight.


Race 14: Fountain of Youth (G2)
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 6 Chief Wallabee; 7 Napoleon Solo
Backups: 4 Commandment; 3 Talkin

Forecast: I am not overly confident in any particular horse, but it is very likely that one of the top three choices on oddsmaker Brian Nadeau’s morning line gets to the wire first in this year’s Fountain of Youth. #4 Commandment is as likely as anyone, but at 2-1, he is tough to get excited about trying two-turns for the first time. On the other hand, I do not know what to expect from #7 Napoleon Solo since it has been nearly five months since we have seen him compete in the afternoons, but clearly his “A” game is very good. #6 Chief Wallabee has major questions to answer as well, but was uber-professional in his debut over this course on January 10. He should handle the two-turns. #3 Talkin is my wild card. He ran in three live races as a 2YO and is likely to try to make a run from off the pace given the rider change from Kendrick Carmouche to Joel Rosario. His last in the Remsen (G2) is an obvious toss. He should be a big price.