Davona Dale
Gulfstream Park, ninth race. Grade 2. Purse: $250,000. 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies. Post: 4:35 p.m.
LOWDOWN: When Dreaming of Julia won her first two starts last summer by a combined 26 lengths, we thought she might be a Derby filly. After a dead-game win in the Frizette, the daughter of A.P. Indy concluded her campaign in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, when she made a big middle move into contention before settling for third over a speed-biased track. Trainer Todd Pletcher didn’t pick the softest spot for Dreaming of Julia’s 3-year-old debut, but she has been training well for her return and figures to get a dream trip.
TV: HRTV, NYRA Channel 71
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
Gulfstream Park, 11th race. Grade 2. Purse: $400,000. 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds. Post: 5:35 p.m.
LOWDOWN: Todd Pletcher’s colt Violence tops many early Derby polls off his 3-for-3 record as a 2-year-old including victories in the Nashua and Cashcall Futurity. The $600,000 son of Medaglia d’Oro fired a bullet work in preparation for his first step toward the May 4 Run for the Roses.
TV: HRTV, NYRA Channel 71
RISEN STAR
Fair Grounds, 10th race. Grade 2. Purse: $400,000. 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds. Post: 5:57 p.m.
LOWDOWN: Coming off a nine-length maiden romp last fall, Normandy Invasion stretched out to two turns in the Remsen, loomed boldly rallying wide around the far turn and looked like he would win for fun, only to be beaten a nose on the wire. Chad Brown’s son of Tapit, who ranks second to Verrazano on the Post’s “Derby Dozen,” has turned in several sharp drills for his seasonal debut.
TV: HRTV, NYRA Channel 71
LAST WEEK: At Gulfstream, Seanchai (7-1) was fourth in The Very One; Amira’s Prince won the Macdiarmida paying $5.40, $3.60, $3; at Tampa, Doubles Partner (8-5) was second in the Tampa Bay paying $2.40 to place, $2.60 to show.