Horse Racing – Snowed In? Eight Stakes at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Will Keep You Warm

While the eastern part of the country is hammered with a snowstorm, horseplayers can find plenty of hot action on Saturday by heading off to Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita, where there are a combined eight stakes races on the wagering menu.

There is action for everyone, from promising three year olds looking to stamp their ticket to the Kentucky Derby, to talented turf horses, to seeing several of the top horses in the handicap division.

The marquee event at Gulfstream Park on Saturday is the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1), where the talented and sometimes troubled Quality Road will go off as the favorite.

The four year old colt is best remembered for acting up at the gate prior to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) last year, necessitating a late scratch.

The Todd Pletcher trainee came back in style in the Hal’s Hope (G3) on Jan. 3, drawing clear to win by 2 ¾ lengths in a sharp looking outing.

The colt has done his best running at Gulfstream Park, winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) over the surface.

A foot problem knocked him out of the Kentucky Derby (G1), where he likely would have been sent off as the favorite.

Among the foes that will attempt to beat him are the top four finishers of the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G3), which was won by Duke of Mischief.

Past the Point, who was second in the Mr. Prospector (G3) in his last start looks like a live longshot. The six year old stretches out from six furlongs, and his career best effort came at today’s nine furlong distance when he ran second to two time Horse of the Year Curlin in the ’08 Woodward at Saratoga.

A field of six will go nine furlongs in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G1).

The Richard Dutrow trained Court Vision makes his first start since a fourth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last November.

The five year old finished a close up third in this race last year behind his stablemate Kip Deville.

Two time Grade 1 winner take the Points and European import Never On Sunday, who won a Group 1 race in France appear to be the major competition.

One of the best wagering races on the Gulfstream Park card on Saturday is the $125,000 Suwannee River Stakes (G3), which drew a field of twelve with one main track only entrant.

Lady Shakespeare, who finished in a dead heat for second in the Marshua Stakes, drew a tough post but certainly looks like a player for trainer Roger Attfield.

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The filly is a half sister to Grade 1 turf winner Shakespeare.

Long Approach, who was fourth in the race last year, is looking to end a 11 race losing streak. During her streak she has been fourth or better in five graded stakes.

The ten race card at Santa Anita includes five stakes races, three of which are graded.

The $250,000 Las Virgenes marks the three year old debut of the talented Blind Luck, who capped off her two year old campaign by winning the Hollywood Starlet (G1).

The filly won four of six starts last year and was a close up third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) where she was beaten just ¾ of a length for the top spot.