How to bet the 2019 Fountain of Youth Pick 3, 4 and 5

Gulfstream Park will host a tremendous day of racing on Saturday with the highlight being the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) for three-year-olds. The weather is supposed to cooperate, and it better with seven races carded for the turf. In the Pick 3, which begins in RACE 12 (Davona Dale Stakes [G2]), champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner JAYWALK (#1) (2-5) looks virtually unbeatable from post 1. She has dominant speed, should make the lead with little trouble and has won from off the pace before, so jockey Joel Rosario always has that card to play in case she doesn’t break that well. The only filly I give a chance to against Jaywalk is BOLD SCRIPT (#6) (12-1), who makes her dirt debut after running well in Canada on turf and synthetic. The daughter of Speightstown is bred for dirt and has been training well on it at Palm Meadows Training Center. In RACE 13 (Fountain of Youth Stakes [G2]), I think morning-line favorite HIDDEN SCROLL (#7) (9-5) is a must use but can be beat. He broke his maiden by 14 lengths in his career debut at 8-1 for Bill Mott, who is not known for having his first-time starters cranked up. Still, it was over a sloppy track and it is hard for me to believe he will move forward here. FREE Fountain of Youth PPs courtesy of Brisnet.com! The horse I like on top is VEKOMA (#5) (7-2), who broke his maiden going six furlongs in fast time before returning to take the Nashua Stakes (G3) going a one-turn mile 118 days ago. The son of Candy Ride adds Lasix for the first time and should get a trip behind the early speed. GLOBAL CAMPAIGN (#8) (10-1) has two starts and two wins here over the main track, including one at the 1 1/16-mile distance. SIGNALMAN (#6) (9-2) is a one-dimensional closer who rallied nicely for third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and then came back to win the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) over a strong field. RACE 14 (Mac Diarmida Stakes [G2]) is an 11-furlong turf race for older horses. I like gallopers going marathon distances on turf and a trio in here fit the bill. VILLAGE KING (#2) (8-1), a Group 1 winner in Argentina last year, has shown in his career that he can handle any kind of turf course, and his sire is a major source of stamina. Johnny Velazquez should be able to save ground every step of the way. ZULU ALPHA (#6) (3-1) was claimed for $80,000 by Mike Maker and came right back to win the Sycamore Stakes (G3) going 1 1/2 miles. He could not overcome post 11 going nine furlongs here next out but bounced back at 1 1/2 miles to take in the W.L. McKnight Stakes (G3) most recently on yielding ground. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides back for Maker. MELMICH (#3) (15-1) was stakes-placed multiple times on the Tapeta track at Woodbine going long then switched back to turf last out with a good third going 1 1/16 miles. He should appreciate the added distance and, while he won’t be anywhere near the lead, he’s a threat with Javier Castellano. $2 Pick 3 #1, #6 with #5, #6, #7, #8 with #2, #3, #6 = $48 The Pick 4 adds on RACE 11 (Honey Fox Stakes [G3]), a one-mile turf race for fillies and mares. PRECIEUSE (#1) (7-2) won a Group 1 French classic going a mile in 2017. Last year, she only had one start, a close second at Saratoga when stuck behind a slow pace in the De La Rose Stakes. Owner Peter Brant did not send the now five-year-old mare to the breeding shed this year but opted to race her instead, which indicates to me that she is completely sound from what kept her away from the races. Chad Brown does great with these imports, and Precieuse draws the rail with Javier Castellano back aboard. BELLAVAIS (#9) (3-1) won a mile turf race last year in time fast enough to win this. The horse for course captured the Marshua’s River Stakes (G3) last out in good time after sitting off a slow pace and exploding in the lane. Joel Rosario picks up the mount as Castellano stays with the top choice. $1 Pick 4 #1, #9 with #1, #6 with #5, #6, #7, #8 with #2, #3, #6 = $48 The Pick 5 begins in RACE 10 (maiden special weight), for three-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. A field of 10 has been entered and six have a chance. OWNITIFYOUWANTIT (#1) (6-1) showed good early speed going this distance here last out and could do so again from the rail with Javier Castellano. HAUNT (#2) (6-1) ran like a Bill Mott first-time starter last out when he was an even fourth going six furlongs and now tries two turns. He took money in his debut and gets Jose Ortiz back aboard. IDENTIFIER (#4) (7-2) ran second in his first three career starts then lost all chance on a sloppy track behind freakish Hidden Scroll, who comes back in the Fountain of Youth. FELIX THE FOX (#6) (4-1) has run evenly in his last three starts and Shug McGaughey adds blinkers for this one to try to get him to quicken. HIGH AMPLITUDE (#7) (9-2) rallied from way back to get second on a sloppy track behind Hidden Scroll and Chad Brown wins 35 percent second time going long. RANGER UP (#8) (5-1) has caught wet tracks in his two career starts but he will be far behind in a wide trip. $.50 cent Pick 5 #1, #2, #4, #6, #7, #8 with #1, #9 with #1 with #5, #6, #7, #8 with #2, #3, #6 = $72 PHOTO: Vekoma wins the Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct under jockey Manny Franco on November 4, 2018 © Adam Coglianese Photography/NYRA