Handicapper's Corner: 2026 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G2)

 

 Turf Veterans Square Off in the Kilroe Mile

By: Stuart Marc deVoe, ThoroFan Handicapper 

 

Saturday’s Kilroe Mile, named after the longtime Racing Secretary at Santa Anita, is now contested as a Grade 2 event going a flat mile on grass, which is expected to be firm.  It is always a great race and an early-season target for turf milers.  Expect to see a fair number of these 8 entrants in the best turf races going forward this year.

Scheduled as race 9, the Kilroe Mile field enters the gate at 4:12 PM PT

Let’s look at the field: 

1.   Mi Hermano Ramon (5/1) Mark Glatt sends out this 6-year-old gelding for his 1^st start since June 2025.  His steady diet of G1 & G2 events makes him one of the classiest entrants.  He seems to do his best work with pace to run into, which he will get today.

2.  Alemendares (9/2)  Enters this race as the 3^rd race off the layoff.  He put in a massive turn run to contend for top honors in the Pegasus World Cup Turf G1 last out at 37-1. He is another that seems best with pace in front of him.

3.  El Potente (5/2)  Speaking of pace, El Potente is all of that and then some.  He comes off a freakish effort winning the G3 Thunder Road for the 2^nd year in a row at today’s track and trip, where he led from flag fall to that’s all.  He did get it all his own way on the front-end last month, but his run from the middle of the far turn to the 1/8^th pole was as impressive as a horse can be.   Did he empty the tank there?  Plus, he has plenty of company up front with Cabo Spirit, Mi Bago and Final Boss to his outside.  That my force his hand to control, but he has passed horses in prior tries.

4.  Gas Me Up (7/2)  Closed for 2^nd to El Potente in the aforementioned Thunder Road in his last effort.  He was up against the pace dynamics there, but wasn’t in his start prior to that, where he mowed them all down going down the dip in the Hernandez.  His Breeders’ Cup Mile last year was sneaky good, breaking from post 12 of 13, where he was hopelessly wide the entire trip.  Gas Me Up is yet another who prefers pace in front of him and will get it today. 

5.  Cabo Spirit (10/1)  You gotta love this 7yo gelding making his 41^st start.  He always tries but is a need the lead type.  If he gets his way, he is super tough and game.  I’m just not sure it’s today with all the other speed types signed on.   

6.  Mi Bago (10/1)  I find it interesting that Mark Casse ships across the country for this 4yo.  He could have run last week at Gulfstream in a G3 for 50k less than today.  He is 4 for 4 at that track and a gelding, so it’s not like they are trying to make a stallion out of him.  I see it as a vote of confidence.  But he has one way to go, and that’s to run them off their feet.  Perhaps he gets loose and slows them down, but it doesn’t look that way on paper.  Remember that they don’t run the races on paper…

7.  Final Boss (8-1)  The last front-runner in the field who has had success in the allowance ranks but now jumps into deeper water where he hasn’t fared as well.  He's also off a September layoff for Sadler.  I’m guessing there aren’t many opportunities to run him out there on the left coast so he is in with the sharks.   

8.   Astronomer (8/1)  I would love to own this guy.  At 7 years old, he always seems to put in a run and give you an effort.  He’s another who showed up in the Pegasus World Cup Turf at a big number.  The problem is that he has only 3 wins in 23 attempts so he looks a bit camera-shy. 

SUMMARY 

This looks like it will be an honest race with good speed horses and good closers signed on.  Of the speeds, Mi Bago and Cabo Spirit are the two that seem to absolutely need the lead for their best.  El Potente has passed horses before and seems like he relaxes wherever the jock puts him.  Final Boss has passed others before, but he seems a cut below to me.  Therefore, El Potente is the most versatile/best speed type

Of the backers, Gas Me Up, Almendares and Astronomer all have a recency edge over Mi Hermano Ramon.  Gas Me Up didn’t go across the country and back, however.  When judging closers, I like to think of who would win from the ¼ pole home, assuming they start in an even straight line.  Based on final fractions, that would be Gas Me Up & ‘ Ramon.    

THE BET:  (based on $100 wagered)

$8 Exacta Box – El Potente, Gas Me Up, Mi Hermano Ramon

$20 Exacta - El Potente over Gas Me Up & Mi Hermano Ramon

$6 Trifecta Key - El Potente over Gas Me Up & Mi Hermano Ramon

Handicapper's Corner: 2026 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2)

 

 Derby Dreams and Speed Duels Highlight the Fountain of Youth

By John Caro, ThoroFan Handicapper

There are 105 Kentucky Derby points to be had for this year’s Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). This race has produced 15 winners in the run for the roses, including last year's winner, Sovereignty.

Gulfstream is known for its fast track and traveling, but there may be an additional factor, given the forecast of a 40% chance of rain from mid-afternoon. None of these have raced on a wet surface, and only three have trained on a track other than fast dirt.

Carded as the finale, post time is 6:11 PM ET.

We have several ‘Rabbits'(R) and a few ‘Foxes’ (F) to chase them around the two turns and a short stretch.

Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Jackson Hole (R) – Pletcher/Velasquez  - He's two for two, has been over the Gulfstream track with JR up and has gone the distance in good time at Fairgrounds. His first race at 7 furlongs, he tracked the lead and pounced in the stretch and won by 1. Last out he was all out front and improved his position to win by 5+ with a second best speed at the distance, 88. He appears to be versatile, and that might come in handy from post #1, particularly if there is rain as the rail area is usually dead. He can likely handle a wet surface. I like him in the exotics. It is Johnny V, and he could surprise given the projected pace.

#2 Rockies Balboa (R)  - Romans/Saez  - This fella has made some significant improvement since coming to Gulfstream. Back-to-back wins at 6.5 and 7 furlongs, winning by 5.75 and 5 and earning a 93 Brisnet speed figure. Both races were run on the front. He will be part of the pace. He lost Alvarado to Bill Mott's entry but gets the services of Luis Saez, who is known for his aggressive starts and quality pace management, like Dornoch in 2024 with a blast out of the gate and took a slow pace through the backstretch. A lot of folks would look at the pps and say, well he's not gone longer than 7 or two turns and my thoughts are 7 is a perfect place to stretch out from, and his dad Girvin was quite the 3-year-old and could fly several furlongs more easily. I expect to see the same, and he should have no problem if it's wet. I like him for a price. Exotics and a separate wager for him as the odds may be 20-1.

#3 Talkin  - Gargan/Rosario  - Don't think he is going to show up. Probably makes the journey to Tampa for their Derby race. I will say he has competed against some great company. He placed second against Nepoleon Solo in the Champaign Stakes and got run over by Paladin and Renegade in the Remsen.

#4 Commandment (F)  - Cox/Ortiz, I. – As the winner of the Mucho Macho Man, he is highly regarded, and the connections are number one. He's a tracker to the pace setters, and it should set up well for him. He is the third fastest runner in the field, and he's had 5 nice maintenance works in his 56 days off. I expect he will be in top form for this race. I see him making that run just before the turn for home and try to close for the kill on the rabbits. Win contender.

#5 Bravaro (F)  - Joseph/Gaffalione  -  He was unfortunate in running against Nearly in the Holy Bull 27 days ago, finishing second by 5 after a blistering pace up front. But he must have come out of that okay, and Saffie put him through a bullet work on the 13^th. Good news: we know he can go the distance; he is a tracker. Gaffalione rides again and will likely find a better pace, and he may go well in the wet if it happens.

#6 Chief Wallabee (F) – Mott/Alvarado  - Has only had the one race at 7 furlongs in great time, closing in the stretch with a second-best final pace figure of 100 and a 96 Bris speed. Not bad for a first time out. Mott had given him a 3 week rest and then back to have 3 works 10 days apart at Payson Park. Mott’s go to is back for the task. This rest, relax pattern is typical of Mott’s training regime and works well. Do we have another Sovereignty in the making? Don't know if he can win, but I have high hope’s he will move forward and capture some points. Exotics play.

#7 Napoleon Solo (R) -   Summers/Carmouche  - Another highly regarded colt, winner of the Champagne and very fast front runner. The only concern is the long layoff since October, but he has been on the work tab since mid January with 4 of 6 bullet works. Maybe there is no concern! Kinda wonder since #3 Talkin above is going to the left coast if Rosario will get the mount since he won with him in the Champaign? He is a definite contender for the win and the most likely pace setter. It would be folly to leave him out of the exotics. A win wager would have to be very large to make money.

#8 Bull by The Horns – Joseph/Husbands  - Not sure this colt can keep up with the pace or speeds expected to develop in the race. Not on my radar.

#9 Global Aviator  - Crichton/Bravo  - Scratched.

#10 Solitude Dude (R/F) – Joseph/Prat – Three for three lifetime and won the Swale last out with the top speed in this field and a best late pace of the field as well. There is nothing negative to say about this guy. He likes being on the lead but, I think Prat will let two others take the lead, given Dude’s post position and track leaders. And if it's wet, he has the best mid numbers of the bunch. He is my top pick to win.

#11 Lost Money – Arias/Castellano  - I'm sorry, but the colt’s name kinda sums up my thoughts. Still a maiden, no speed progression and an outside post. No thank you. Hope they can find the right spot to race this animal, turf maybe?

Analysis

I expect the pace will be very fast on the front given the rabbits, regardless of the surface condition. And although most races at Gulfstream are won on the front by high-speed rabbits, I think a fox can catch a rabbit for a race like this. I say this based on the history of the last five FOY Stakes races.

Dornoch took the front ridden by Luis Saez at a very slow pace in the backstretch and then finished well. The other four races back to 2021 have been midpack or all the way back closers, regardless of the speed up front. Sovereignty and Greatest Honour came from way off the pace.

Handigambling Menu, the way I see it with $100

$1 Trifecta – 10 with 1,2,4,5,6,7 with 1,2,4,5,6,7 $30

$1 Trifecta  - 1,2,4,5,6,7 with 10 with 1,2,4,5,6,7 $30

Longshot Wager…$40

$9 Win #2   $18 Show #2  $27

$2 Exacta 1,5,6,7,10 with 2 $10

$3 Exacta 4 with 2 $3 

Good Luck everyone

  

Handicapper's Corner: 2025 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes

 

Gulfstream Park Sprint: Speed Meets Pressure at Six Furlongs

By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power

Saturday’s $125,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes brings together a compact but highly competitive field of eight seasoned sprinters, and the six-furlong distance over the Gulfstream Park main track should ensure a fast and tactical affair from the moment the gates open.  The Sprint Stakes is carded as Race 10 of 12, with a 4:50 PM ET post time.

Let’s review the field. 

With several runners preferring to race on or near the lead, the outcome may hinge less on raw speed and more on which horse can withstand early pressure and still finish strongly through the lane.

At the center of the discussion is Damon’s Mound, whose recent form and overall profile make him the horse to beat. A perfect 2 for 2 at Gulfstream,  he’s the only graded winner in the race and tuned up for the Sprint with a 2 1/2 length victory in the restricted Sunshine Sprint Stakes. While several rivals possess early foot, the Bill Mott trainee has tactical speed and can sit just off the pace. Win contender.

Beeline pits the younger Riley Mott against his dad. Beeline won two of three at Gulfstream, including the 2024 Hutchenson Stakes. Since then, the 5-year-old horse has mostly struggled against optional claimers. Like most of the others in here, he does his best work on the lead. Sentimentally, I have to cheer for a Mott/Mott exacta.

Making his second start for the Jose  D'Angelo barn, Wound Up, is a need-the-lead type who compiled a six-race win streak against Optional Claiming types at Santa Anita. However, he’s found the going tougher against stakes horses. In his last start, he was a distant third in the Mr. Prospector (G3), beaten 9 1/2 lengths. Wound Up could potentially improve in his second start off the layoff, as long as he avoids a speed duel. Exotics.

Rolando returns to his happy place, where he has a 6-3-1-2 record, including a victory in last year’s Hutcheson Stakes. He didn’t have much of an excuse for finishing fourth in Tampa Bay’s Pelican Stakes in his last start, although he was making his first start of the year. The Fausto Gutierrez trainee’s Brisnet ratings are generally in the low to mid 90s at Gulfstream, and while he’s another need-the-lead type, Rolando is worth a look for the Exotics.

Several runners offer intriguing underneath possibilities.

Jack’s Promise has tactical speed and can track the leaders before making a late move, a style that often proves effective when multiple speed horses engage each other early.

Great Navigator has never been out of the money going six furlongs but has been in the money only half of his ten starts here.

He could find himself in a favorable stalking spot if the early leaders begin to tire, turning for home.

Meanwhile, Con Compania, returns to sprint company after longer-distance assignments. He flopped in the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) after a wide trip, but shortens up. The far outside post position in the Sprint does him no favors and we could see a similar outcome since he has speed to his inside. Pass. 

Ajaayb hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since last August at Ellis Park. He came the closest to seeing the finish line first in his last start, a optional claimer at Tampa for his new trainer, Victor Barboza, Jr., but still wound up fifth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. Additionally, he’s winless in seven starts at Gulfstream and has won three of 12 at six furlongs. Pass.

 Analysis

From a pace perspective, the Gulfstream Park Sprint looks like a drag race. The kind with cars.

Damond’s Mound has tactical speed and class.

Beeline has only won on the lead, but he showed a new dimension in his last attempt, rating in fourth before rallying to finish third in a blanket finish. He’s stepping up, but has the second-highest late-pace figure in the field.

Wound Up has dangerous California speed. 21 and change speed that he’s able to carry. No one else has consistently flashed that kind, and if Irad Ortiz, Jr. lets him run, he could be gone.

6. Damond’s Mound (7-5)

4. Beeline (12-1)

5. Wound Up (4-1)