The Lead:One of the biggest days of the Gulfstream Park Championship Meet returns Saturday for Fountain of Youth Day. Kentucky Derby hopefuls look to follow Sovereignty's footsteps in the Race 14 finale. The undercard is loaded with stakes, and the late pick 5 kicks off with the Grade 3 The Very One in Race 10.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in the 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split on Saturday's late pick 4 (Races 11-14) at Gulfstream. And, there's up to a $10 money-back special in the Fountain of Youth Stakes if your win bet finishes second or third.​​Field Depth:Grade 3 winners include VENENCIA and CANDY QUEST. JUST BASKING is a listed stakes winner and Grade 1-placed, while NO SHOW SAMMY JO is a listed stakes winner and Grade 3-placed. VENENCIA and NO SHOW SAMMY JO have kept the consistently strongest schedules.​Pace:Limited speed expected over 1-3/8 miles on turf. VENENCIA may be sent forward while FOR FLYING and FANTASY PERFORMER are candidates but not blazers. NO SHOW SAMMY JO has run some good races when hustled and from an outside draw might be asked to show more pace than recent starts. But it's guesswork on this pace map.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-GALLANT GRETA: Closer seems to run her race consistently, just a matter of how it stacks up with the competition. She was a no-match second for No Show Sammy Joe over this course and distance Dec. 24 and then placed too deep last time in the Grade 3 Clement. Jockey Luis Saez piloted Beach Bomb to The Very One stakes success a year ago and assumes a new mount for Mike Maker.#2-JUST BASKING: Lightly raced 5-year-old has a thin turf resume with one dull effort at Fair Grounds in her only start of 2025. Her 1-turn mile allowance on dirt was a promising, old-school prep by Ian Wilkes and she’s well-drawn under Javier Castellano for this 3-turn journey. Distance should suit and she’s had multiple BRIS late pace figures to brag about up to 10 furlongs. Big change in trip, but not without intrigue.#3-VENENCIA: Her October victory in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Dowager feels a bit 1-hit wonderish when surrounded by her races around it. She’s changed trainers 4 times since August and hasn’t show much in a couple of Saffie Joseph Jr. appearances. Tyler Gaffalione seeks his second The Very One win in the past 3 years, winning in 2024 aboard R Calli Kim. May be near the lead with a good draw and lack of other pace.#4-CANDY QUEST: 4-year-old return bid in Tampa’s Grade 3 Endeavor was thwarted by a waltzing pace, but her 104 BRIS late pace figure showed that she came back running to be second. That’s not even her best late fig, getting a 107 in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Consistent form at shorter trips and Mark Casse’s stakes success nationally has been remarkable of late. Irad Ortiz Jr. is a 3-time The Very One winner (2018, 2019, 2022) and takes the mount for the first time.#5-FOR FLYING: First of 2 in here for trainer Graham Motion, who won The Very One last year with Beach Bomb. 6-year-old mare has just 15 starts and is 0-8 since winning 4 of her first 7. A return to turf may help, but her recent synthetic form doesn’t inspire confidence.#6-DONA CLOTA: Former Chilean star melted down in the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf and made only 1 summer start at Saratoga since, finishing fifth in an allowance. She’s on her third trainer in 3 domestic starts, and perhaps Saffie Joseph Jr. has found something Chad Brown and Nacho Correas didn’t. Interesting to see Flavien Prat take the mount.#7-FANTASY PERFORMER: Synthetic has been her best surface and there’s some concern with this level of competition, though she did best The Very One rival For Flying on New Year’s Day. But that one looks like a longshot here, too.#8-LOVE SONG: Jockey John Velazquez takes aim at a fifth The Very One title and his first since 2015. That would match Jerry Bailey’s all-time wins record in this race. This impeccably bred Ghostzapper-Music Note filly has come nowhere close to her pedigree’s promise and mustered only 1 stakes start in 11 races to date, a third at Turfway last out. The longer aces have been among her best, but 6: 0-3-0 on turf doesn’t endorse her.#9-NO SHOW SAMMY JO: 6-year-old has won 6 of 14 in a stop-and-start career but seemed to hold together well through a 7-race 2025 campaign that saw her win 2 listed stakes. Her victory over the course and distance Dec. 24 in the Via Borghese makes her an obvious threat. Trainer Graham Motion seeks a third victory in The Very One and second straight after Beach Bomb a season ago. Wide post and weaker-than-you’d-think late BRIS pace figures do caution against taking a short price.Most Likely Exotics Contender:CANDY QUEST is a course winner in a field that's 2-17 combined locally. She's 7-10 in the exacta and 9-10 in the superfecta lifetime and has the best late move in the lineup.Best Longshot Contender:JUST BASKING isn't a turf marathoner, but I love the old-school prep path for a trainer in Ian Wilkes who isn't one to placea horse wildly over her head.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$75 win CANDY QUEST. $10 exacta box CANDY QUEST and JUST BASKING ($20). $5 exacta CANDY QUEST over DONA CLOTA.

Five of nine entrants in the Grade 3 $300,000 Gotham Stakes are Triple Crown nominees, a subtle sign that this 1-turn mile is more a crossroads race than a tried-and-true Kentucky Derby prep. After all, it’s been since Secretariat, yes THE Secretariat in 1973, that a Gotham alum has worn the roses. But 50 qualifying points for the first Saturday in May are in line for the winner – making it a veritable automatic qualifier.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream and Gotham at Aqueduct, as well as Sunday’s Rebel at Oaklawn. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Gotham Stakes (Race 10):#1-BALBOA: He scratched from last week’s Miracle Wood at his Laurel Park home base in exchange for this spot. The Brittany Russell trainee returns to the Big A for a third time: third in the Remsen, second in the Jerome and looking to notch his first graded stakes victory. The $875,000 Not This Time colt began his career with Bob Baffert in California before hitting the transfer portal.#2-HAMMOND: Gulfstream-based sprinter stretches out beyond 7 furlongs for the first time. Exits a third-place try in the Swale behind Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemate Solitude Dude, arguably the top 3-year-old sprinter in the country. Hammond is from the first crop of sire Charlatan, an elite speedster who extended to 1-1/8 miles in winning the 2020 Arkansas Derby.#3-CROWN THE BUCKEYE: Ohio-bred speed merchant set the pace but failed to sustain in the Gun Runner and Lecomte this winter at Fair Grounds. Trainer Mike Maker gets the colt by top-class sprinter Yaupon back around 1 turn for the first time since winning last August’s Cleveland Kindergarten by more than a dozen lengths. Early pace pilot Ricardo Santana has the return mount.#4-FOURTH AND ONE: Rank early in the 2-turn Withers before wilting, this Jeremiah Englehart trainee cuts back in trip. He broke his maiden at the Big A in a mile and was third over the same trip last year in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes. The Maxfield colt must prove his mettle in open company under Jose Lezcano.#5-RIGHT TO PARTY: Jan. 10 maiden graduate steps up in class but returns to the same track and distance as his successful second start. A $325,000 Constitution colt, this Kenny McPeek trainee debuted a distant third at Aqueduct behind Gotham return rival Iron Honor. That was over 6 furlongs, and his backers will hope the longer distance can help make up 9 lengths on the horse who breaks next door.#6-IRON HONOR: Chad Brown’s debut winner Dec. 13 since has seen that form flattered with his second and third-place pursuers returning to win next out. By Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and out of a Blame mare, the stamina should be there to think his 6-furlong unveiling was a feather in his cap – winning a fast race at what likely isn’t his optimal trip. Manny Franco has the return ride.#7-EXHIBITION ONLY: Trainer Rudy Rodriguez blew up the Withers Feb. 6 with maiden-to-stakes leaper Talk To Me Jimmy and looks for a second NYRA prep trail notch with this fellow, last-out maiden romper for the same ownership. Exhibition Only didn’t make much headway on turf at 2, but flipped a switch Feb. 5 a the Big A, wiring a 1-turn mile by nearly 8 lengths with the addition of Lasix. That medication won’t be in play for the Gotham, so we’ll soon find out more answers about this Complexity colt.#8-CREOLE CHROME: Fair Grounds-based colt also was cross-entered in Saturday’s Star Guitar Stakes vs. Louisiana-breds on his home track. Trainer Joe Sharp would be sending him on the road to face open company and make his first start beyond 6 furlongs if they head to the Gotham. He’s won 2 of 3, finishing third in the Louisiana Juvenile in his only stakes bid. Expected to remain at home.#9-DIRTY RICH: Well-traveled sprinter has raced in Kentucky, California and Arkansas and looks for another road test. Peter Miller trains the $35,000 Thousand Words colt who has overachieved to win Oaklawn’s Advent Stakes. He was most recently third to Obliteration, who since ran a bang-up second in the Saudi Derby. Ramon Vazquez, battling at the top of the Oaklawn standings coming into the week, makes the journey with him.

The final Saturday of the 21st season of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest provides extra sizzle this week. Contestant Greg Lesko has successfully outplayed 8 hosts to date, and after a pair of rivals went by the wayside last week, is the lone combatant left with a chance at the $6,500 Sweep the Host bonus. He’ll need to topple Gulfstream Park handicapper Ron Nicoletti, who will be in the host chair for the final week of the contest’s regular season.As part of the tournament prize structure, Lesko already has netted $4,000 as the last player remaining in the “knockout” format for sweeping all the hosts. He’ll get the full $6,500 with a Week 9 victory over Nicoletti.The Week 8 results saw Larry Klingensmith top all players with a $165.00 bankroll good for the $1,000 weekly first prize. He nosed out John Williams’ $162.50 total that netted second prize money of $750. Jerry Larsson was a close-up third at $158.50 and tallied a $250 prize. Only 15 eligible players topped host Zoe Cadman of Santa Anita last week to earn berths into next Saturday’s Beat the Host Championship Round tournament. That brings the current number to 568 players in the hunt for that title.The $65,000 Beat the Host competition encompasses 10 races each contest Saturday, split between the final 5 Gulfstream Park races and first 5 from Santa Anita. Contestants place $5 win bets on the Xpressbet platform for each of the 10 Beat the Host races, earning their parimutuel winnings as well as prize pools.All contestants who beat the cumulative bankroll total of the host each Saturday qualify for the Beat the Host Championship on March 7. Weekly prize pools of $2,000 are also in play for the top-3 finishers, while a $6,500 Sweep the Host bonus split is in store for those sharp enough to top the host totals all 9 weeks of the contest – which is now down to just Greg Lesko.A check-in for the season-long leaderboard in contest earnings shapes up this way: Christopher Cupples has continued to lead for several weeks, now with $583.25. John Souza sits second with $544.25. He’s followed by Steven Busching ($536.75), Steven Dalbec ($529.00) and Ron Watson ($514.50). Note that Sweep the Host candidate Greg Lesko ranks seventh in season bankroll ($503.25).The BTH Championship pits all weekly winning players against one another in pursuit of seats in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Betting Challenge, Xpressbet Santa Anita Derby Challenge and Xpressbet Florida Derby Challenge tournaments.Last season, 496 of 711 Beat the Host players were able to top the host total at least once during the season. Glenn Gulden paced all players in the cumulative season totals last year, while George Blanchard took down the top prize in the Beat the Host Championship round finale.Tournament & Host Schedule:Saturday, January 3, 2026 - Pete AielloSaturday, January 10, 2026 - Millie BallSaturday, January 17, 2026 - Michelle YuSaturday, January 24, 2026 - Scott ShapiroSaturday, January 31, 2026 - Brian NadeauSaturday, February 7, 2026 - Tom QuigleySaturday, February 14, 2026 - Samantha PerrySaturday, February 21, 2026 - Zoe CadmanSaturday, February 28, 2026 - Ron NicolettiSaturday, March 7, 2026 – Beat the Host Championship Round LEARN MORE ABOUT BEAT THE HOST

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Tampa ($50+) and Turfway ($50+) | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESParx | cancelled due to weatherNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $69,275 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:17 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $73,161 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $17,306 | Turfway Park | Race 10 | 10:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 8 | 4:25 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 2 | 6:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMike Maker | Turfway | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turf Paradise | favorites 2-for-14 in Thoroughbred races past 2 daysPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Tampa/Turf Paradise Promo Picks for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The gang’s back from Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes to renew acquaintances, all the while welcoming newcomers from Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher and Kenny McPeek. It’s a Sunday stakes showcase in the Rebel over 1-1/16 miles with 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner – and major geographic strength of schedule implications.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream and Gotham at Aqueduct, as well as Sunday’s Rebel at Oaklawn. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Rebel Stakes (Race 11):#1-BRAVARO: Cross-entered in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes at his home base in Florida, he’ll reportedly scratch from the Rebel to run at Gulfstream.#2-LITMUS TEST: 8-time Rebel winner Bob Baffert looks to pad his race record with the 2026 return of this Los Alamitos Futurity winner. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist had been pointed to the Southwest, but scratched out of that race, presumably after a subpar workout. He’s trained right on beat since and gets reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat aboard the fourth-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.#3-CLASS PRESIDENT: Gulfstream debut winner Dec. 27 at a mile, this Todd Pletcher trainee returned simply second-best to elite sprinter Solitude Dude in the Swale Stakes a month later at 7 furlongs. The Florida-based colt by Uncle Mo stretches out around 2 turns for the first time as Pletcher seeks a third Rebel win (2017 Malagacy, 2018 Magnum Moon). John Velazquez takes the return call.#4-BLACKOUT TIME: Morning line favorite makes his first start since finishing second in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in October. The Not This Time colt was scratched by the veterinarians prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and did not return to the workout tab until Jan. 23. He’s had 5 drills for the comeback bid between his Fair Grounds base and a Feb. 11 bullet move at Oaklawn. Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez Jr., who came through this circuit with 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, reunite.#5-HONEY’S TO BLAME: Arkansas-bred has won 2 straight at Oaklawn and rises into the stakes ranks for the first time. His last victory came at the Rebel’s 1-1/16 miles trip. Emmaneul Esquivel has been perfect on him locally after the colt began 0-for-3 in open company in New York. Sire Blame was also responsible for 2020 Rebel winner Nadal. Second of 2 Kenny McPeek charges in the field, joining Blackout Time.#6-STRATEGIC RISK: The Southwest Stakes and Florida Sire Stakes In Reality winner had a massive fall from grace in the Southwest when finishing 10th of 12. It’s one of the few missteps by Mark Casse trainees at Oaklawn dating back to the holiday meet (a remarkable 13: 8-2-0 stakes record). He’s had 1 workout since to get things righted as jockey Javier Castellano returns from Florida to find out.#7-SILENT TACTIC *pictured*: The second of 2 Mark Casse entrants likely will flip the toteboard this time with Strategic Risk. He was a 12-1 outsider when rallying to upset the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 6 but now will be considered a leading contender. Cristian Torres rides the colt making his third stakes start of the meet, opening with a runner-up to Strategic Risk in the Smarty Jones. The $500,000 Tacitus colt wants a fast pace.#8-RANCHO SANTA FE: Another local stakes veteran making his third start of the Arkansas Derby series, this Brad Cox trainee tries to improve on a Smarty Jones fifth and Southwest Stakes fourth. He won both starts at 2 for a barn that captured the Rebel 2 years ago with favored Timberlake. Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the mount for the first time as Flavien Prat hops seats to Oaklawn newcomer Litmus Test. Sire Tapit was responsible for 2016 Rebel winner Cupid.#9-TIME FOR MUSIC: Longshot entrant for Steve and Keith Asmussen has won 1 of 6 starts and was soundly defeated in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park in his lone stakes attempt. This $750,000 Not This Time colt hasn’t lived up to the billing. He’ll try to shock the lineup and give Asmussen a second Rebel victory, following 8-1 shot Long Range Toddy in 2019.#10-SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT: Stronger chance of the Steve Asmussen uncoupled pair in the Rebel, his runner-up from post 11 in the Southwest Stakes was an admirable performance. The post doesn’t get much easier here over the same trip, so return jockey Jose Ortiz will be tasked with working out a trip. This $950,000 juvenile purchase by Army Mule has won 2 of 5 but has never been out of the superfecta despite stakes journeys to Saratoga, Churchill and Oaklawn.

After a slow week on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with just a pair of international preps and one conducted over a synthetic surface, things pick up big time this weekend. The Fountain of Youth (G2) on Saturday and the Rebel (G2) on Sunday are arguably the two deepest Triple Crown prep races to date. Handicapping both will obviously be a major focus in the next couple of days as well as the Gotham (G3), but first it is time for another edition of Prep School.Horse That Made His Presence Felt During the Slow Week: Reagan’s HonorDespite the slow week in terms of Triple Crown preps and significant leaderboard updates, a horse vaulted up many horseplayers' Derby lists in New Orleans last Thursday. Cherie DeVaux-trained Reagan’s Honor rattled off his second consecutive victory going two turns over the Fair Grounds main track and did so in impressive fashion. Jockey Jose Ortiz took the $140,000 Keeneland September ’24 purchase to the front and controlled the pace throughout much like he did in his maiden victory in mid-January. According to the Daily Racing Form’s Marcus Hersh, the plan is to send this colt to the Blue Grass (G1) with stablemate Golden Tempo likely to add blinkers and make his next start in the Louisiana Derby (G1). Reagan’s Honor is well worth watching given the lack of dominance we have seen thus far from this crop.Horse That Took Biggest Step Forward in a Triple Crown Prep Last Weekend: Great WhiteOutside of Reagan’s Honor, it is difficult to get excited about anything hoping to make the starting gate in Louisville in a couple of months that we saw compete last week. Salloom, the big favorite in Dubai, failed to relax before the race and was forced to scratch after running off before the break from the gate and runners exiting the Hyacinth in Tokyo are unlikely to impact this year’s “Run for the Roses.” On the other hand, Great White’s win in the Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park was intriguing at the very least. The massive son of Volatile corrected the issues at the gate that plagued him through his first two starts and proved best despite being wide throughout on Saturday evening. He certainly has the look of a horse that should have no issue getting more ground, so much like it did with Rich Strike and Final Gambit, it will come down to his ability to take to the surface switch. Great White is a huge long shot as of now to make an impression in the Triple Crown, but he took a big step forward in career start number 3 nonetheless.Horse With Most to Prove this weekend: Napoleon SoloAs I mentioned, several legitimate contenders return to the races this weekend, including three colts who were competitive in Grade 1s as a 2YO that will make their first start of 2026. Litmus Test and Blackout Time return at Oaklawn Park in the Rebel (G2) and are hoping to cement their place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate on Sunday, but it is Champagne (G1) winner Napoleon Solo that has the most to prove. The son of Liam’s Map has been dominant through two starts, including a 6.5-length romp in early October to end his 2YO campaign. The bargain-basement $40,000 Keeneland September 2024 purchase has already run well fresh, so the assumption is he should be ready to fire a big one off the bench. The question is how much he matured while on the sidelines in comparison to the rest of the competition he faces in the Fountain of Youth (G2). The Chad Summers trainee is impossible to knock thus far, but has been somewhat forgotten since he bypassed the Breeders’ Cup and has not raced in nearly 5 months. I am looking forward to seeing what he does at Gulfstream Park a little after 6PM on Saturday.

February is nearly complete, which means horseplayers last chance at our two-month long Wednesday Wins promotion. I am sure most of you by now have registered on the promotional landing page, but for those just checking in, be sure to do so. It is simple. Just bet $50 each Wednesday (February 25) at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park and receive a $10 bonus. I have been taking part and will do so again relying on these horses.  Tampa Bay Downs, Race 6The pace should be honest in the Wednesday feature in Oldsmar, Florida given the presence of #1 X Y Prime and #2 Tapirs Valor. Potentially 2-1-ML favorite #5 Digital Ops will be close to the pace early as well. This bodes well for second choice #4 Twilight Dancer. The Pennsylvania-bred gelding stretches back out to two-turns after stalking early and tiring late against a strong group of allowance runners going 7-furlongs just ten days ago. Owner/trainer Juan Arriagada wheels this son of Tapiture back quickly suggesting he came out of the last race fine. He has lacked gate speed in his last few starts, but should be full of run late with a solid pace to chase under jockey Antonio Gallardo.  Play: #4 Twilight Dancer (5-2 ML) Turfway Park, Race 7It is not often I endorse a Southern California import at Turfway Park, but I like the chances of #4 Sakura Blossom in this second level-allowance at 10-furlongs. The daughter of Classic Empire is winless since March ’24, but has kept solid company in turf and dirt races out west. Leonard Powell is a capable horseman that generally means business when he ships horses out of town that enters a mare that comes in off a third-place effort in the Astra at 1-1/2 miles in a race that fell apart late. Powell attracts Walter Rodriguez. If this gal takes to the surface switch, she should be tough to get by late.  Play: #4 Sakura Blossom (3-1 ML) Turfway Park, Race 8My final Wednesday spot play comes in this auction restricted MSW for 3YO fillies at one mile where I like second-time starter #5 Quality View. The Essential Quality filly debuted in an open $50k maiden claimer on January 21 and was arguably best when finishing fourth beaten just a length. The Chris Davis trainee was caught three-wide into the first turn and remained wide throughout, yet got the best of those prominently placed before being run over by a trio of closers. I like that Davis finds a protected spot for the $60k FTK February purchase that comes in off a pair of maintenance drills over this surface since the solid start to her career. Jockey Joe Ramos sticks around.  Play: #5 Quality View (10-1 ML)

SCHEDULE NOTESParx | cancelled due to weatherNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $12,737 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 4 | 1:39 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXWill Rogers Downs | Race 4 | 2:36 pm ETMahoning Valley | Race 9 | 3:59 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:45 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHScott Young | Will Rogers Downs | 6 of 7 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turf Paradise | favorites 2-for-7 on the card (1-for-7 in Thoroughbred racesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Turf Paradise Bet $100, Get $10 Key PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section