Stakes races coming up

[Berserker]

I always find it interesting to watch the stakes races for the 3 year olds and am curious about everybodies pick for the Fountain of Youth coming up on Saturday. First Samurai is of course running and will be one of the favorites. I think Corinthian, Great Point and Flashy Bull(outside post might be tough here) will be in the running. Your opinions please....

[two gun sid]

1. First Sam placed 1st in FOY...

nice call on Corinthian and Flashy Bull. Brother Derek won today out in Cali.

Lava Man Overflows in Confident Big 'Cap Win
From The Bloodhorse:


Lava Man Overflows in Confident Big 'Cap Win
by Jack Shinar
Date Posted: 3/4/2006 10:02:54 PM
Last Updated: 3/4/2006 10:02:54 PM
California-bred Lava Man, ridden with confidence by Corey Nakatani, shook loose of favored High Limit on the far turn and defeated upset-minded Magnum to win the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in a spectacular effort in front of nearly 50,000 fans Saturday.

The 5-year-old Slew City Slew gelding, trained by Doug O'Neill for Steve, Tracy and David Kenly's STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood, won by a half-length over the Argentine-bred Magnum, who was making his stakes debut in the Big 'Cap. It was several lengths back to Wilko, who came on for third with the 3-2 choice High Limit finishing fourth.

Lava Man opened up by a couple of lengths in the stretch and only Magnum was in a position to challenge him after moving into contention along the inside. But there was no catching Lava Man, who completed the 1 1/4-mile event in 2:00 2/5.

Lava Man is now a two-time grade I winner after romping to victory by almost nine lengths in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (gr. I) last year. Things went poorly for Lava Man after that. The dark bay lost to Borrego after opening up a big lead in the stretch of the Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, finishing third. Then came disastrous efforts in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) and Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-I), where he suffered a foot injury to end the year.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=32440

[aaronbees]

2. I had some hopes for Great Point

but no dice on him. If he settle down, Corinthian may be one to look for in the Triple Crown.

[Berserker]

3. Great Point was more the Great disap"point"ment,

but the others I liked faired very well. Had I been smart I would have used one of the several online betting sites and got my bets in on the other 3. Flashy Bull is a horse I for one will be keeping a close eye on in hopes he becomes less of a stalker and more of a leader. Corinthian as we have read and saw needs some discipline, and First Samurai is just the speedster to me at this point. A few more of the stakes races yet to come, will more than likely point us all in the right direction for the 2006 Derby.

[Justpat]

4. When Corinthian gets his act together I don't think

First Samurai would be able to handle him. He was all over the place and still managed to hit the wire
about 1 1/2 lengths in front of the rest of the. If he had gone in a straight line it would have
been no contest.