By Mike Farrell

The trio of Triple Crown prep races final Saturday produced three intriguing winners, spawning hope in every camp that they’ve a horse for the Kentucky Derby (G1) in lower than 9 weeks from now.

Simplification wins the Fountain of Youth Stakes – Photograph courtesy of Coglianese Pictures

Every winner earned 50 Derby qualifying factors, sufficient to safe a spot within the race. And every will probably face yet one more necessary problem that may improve or discourage that journey to Kentucky.

Let’s unpack the outcomes, beginning with the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) the place Simplification lived as much as his billing because the 5-2 favourite with a 3 ½ size victory over In Due Time.

The six-wide sweep was one other high quality effort by the Florida-bred Simplification. He was the pacesetting winner of the Mucho Macho Man on New Yr’s Day and rallied for second after a hesitant begin within the Holy Bull (G3).

His capability to navigate an 11-horse subject with a strong rally ought to serve him properly within the checks forward. His subsequent cease will probably be the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 2, in keeping with coach Antonio Sano.

“I’m pleased with my horse,” Sano mentioned. “I’m pleased for all of the assist the individuals gave me. I’m pleased for one more likelihood to win the Kentucky Derby.”

It was the second Fountain of Youth win for Sano, who scored with Gunnevera in 2017.

Gunnevera ran third within the Florida Derby and seventh within the Kentucky Derby.

It was chaos behind Simplification as Excessive Oak clipped heels and fell simply previous the quarter pole, tossing Junior Alvarado. Galt hurdled the fallen horse, unseating Joel Rosario, and finishing the full wipeout of each Invoice Mott-trained runners. The 2 horses ran off after the incident and had been corralled with out obvious damage. The 2 jockeys had been shaken up however not critically injured.

The stewards performed an inquiry and let the outcome stand as posted.

That call set of a firestorm of criticism on social media, because the on-line lynch mob needed Paco Lopez drawn and quartered. Lopez, aboard In Due Time, cut up horses whereas brushing with A.P.’s Secret who in flip made contact with Excessive Oak.

From this attitude, there have been a variety of horses in that hazard zone of very tight quarters. We ask horses and riders to search out seams which are the distinction between defeat and victory. It was a scary scene, however the upside is: everybody will return to combat one other day.

Mandella appears to be like to have a prime Derby contender in Forbidden Kingdom

Out west, Forbidden Kingdom dealt with his first two-turn project in excessive model, romping to a 5 ¾-length win within the $400,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita.

The even-money favourite blasted proper to the entrance and by no means confronted a problem.

“I used to be anxious to see this race and see if he would get two turns,” mentioned coach Richard Mandella.  “He regarded even higher. I used to be slightly nervous once I noticed the :45 on the board for the primary half. He simply did what he likes to do.  The subsequent step is the Santa Anita Derby (G1) subsequent month.”

Morello at The Gotham – Photograph Chelsea Durand – NYRA

Gotham: Morello stays unbeaten

It’s been a very long time for the reason that Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct was related. Simply how lengthy, you may ask?

The final horse to win the Gotham on the best way to a Kentucky Derby victory was Secretariat in 1973. It’s been that lengthy.

Maybe the undefeated Morello can finish that drought. He was a dominant winner over Dean’s Checklist at even cash to enhance his document to 3-for-3.

Morello is unbeaten, and largely untested in his three races. The competitors will probably stiffen subsequent trip if he stays on the New York street to the Triple Crown for the $750,000 Wooden Memorial (G2) on April 9.

On faucet: Tampa Bay Derby

Tampa Bay Downs has the 3-year-old highlight all to itself on Saturday with the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

The race might be a showcase for Traditional Causeway, winner of the native prep, the Sam F. Davis (G3), in spectacular style final month.

Tampa Bay Downs – Photograph courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire

After dueling for the lead by way of a brisk tempo, Traditional Causeway pulled away to a decisive 3 ¾-length victory within the Davis that affirmed and confirmed his standing as a stable Triple Crown contender.

Traditional Causeway captured his debut at Saratoga in September, an authoritative 13-1 upset for coach Brian Lynch that acquired everybody’s consideration.

He was the 9-5 favourite subsequent trip within the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland the place he set the tempo and completed third.

Handicappers had been in a forgiving temper, as they despatched him off because the 7-5 alternative within the Kentucky Jockey Membership (G2) at Churchill Downs the place he ran second.

The Davis was his season debut, and at 8-5, his third straight race because the betting favourite. Traditional Causeway lastly rewarded the chalk gamers with a victory and firmed up his credentials. If he builds on the Davis, Traditional Causeway will likely be very powerful to catch. Doubtless rivals embody Belgrade, Main Basic and Shipsational, the Davis runner-up.

The Tampa Bay Derby additionally provides the winner 50 Derby qualifying factors.

Mike Farrell has labored in thoroughbred and harness racing for a lot of his profession in journalism. Mike is a turf author, harness author, and handicapper, masking and analyzing races at dozens of racetracks across the nation. Primarily based on the East Coast, Mike has lined the Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup for a variety of publications, together with Each day Racing Kind, in addition to The Related Press. He spends time at Gulfstream Park taking within the races, and in addition hits the harness racing circuit within the Northeast area. He’s been a fixture at The Hambletonian and the Haskell Invitational for longer than he’d like to recollect.