Historians will note that a Gotham Stakes winner has not captured the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve since the immortal Secretariat in 1973.
Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money.
The 80th running of the$425,000, Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park has attracted a strong field seeking valuable qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.
All signs pointed to Unbridled’s Song in the 1996 edition of the Fountain of Youth Stakes Feb. 24 at Gulfstream Park. The flashy gray or roan colt by Unbridled had closed out his 2-year-old season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and prepped for the 1 1/16-mile race with a sprint tune-up three weeks earlier at the Hallandale Beach, Fla. track.
