Highlighted by the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes, on Saturday, Gulfstream Park puts on a 7-race graded stakes show. Also on Saturday, Oaklawn Park should finally runs the Grade 3 Razorback and Grade 3 Southwest. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, Feb. 27th to Sunday, Feb. 28th. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks for February 27th and 28th Races
Gulfstream Park – Saturday, Feb. 27 Races
- Grade 3 Herecomesthebride Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $150,000
Although Con Lima lost her last race, the Todd Pletcher runner figures to go off odds on in the Herecomesthebride. White Frost may not run. She’s the lone horse that has beaten the likely chalk in Con Lima’s last three.
- Grade 3 Canadian Turf Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – $150,000
Pletcher trained runner Winter’s Back takes a big step up in class from the allowance ranks to this Grade 3. Although that’s often a cause for concern, Todd gets them ready for the move up. Danny Gargan trained Venezuelan Hug will go off the favorite, though.
- Grade 3 The Very One Stakes – 1 3/16 miles turf – $150,000
The Very One should be one of the most competitive races on Gulfstream’s card. Bacchanalia, Always Shopping, Lovely Luvy, Dominga, and Always Shopping figure to vie for favoritism.
- Grade 3 Honey Fox Stakes – 1 miles turf – $150,000
Zofelle, Got Stormy, Feel Glorious, and Jakarta return to the track for the Grade 3 Honey Fox. Don’t settle on a horse offering low odds. Got Stormy will be the favorite, but the 6-year-old mare faces stiff competition in this.
- Grade 2 Mac Diarmida Stakes – 1 3/16 miles turf – $200,000
Mike Maker will run three in the Mac Diarmida on Saturday: Aquaphobia, Tide of the Sea, and Angelus Warrior. But Brian Lynch trained Admission Office may go off the chalk.
- Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile – 1 mile dirt – $200,000
After finishing sixth in the Stephen Foster in his last, Todd Pletcher trained Fearless looks for the bounce back performance in the GP Mile. Expect Fearless to battle Eye of a Jedi for second-choice dollars. The chalk will be Claude McGaughey trained Performer.
- Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes – 1 mile dirt – $200,000
2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Vequist returns to the track in the Grade 2 Davona Dale. The Robert Reid trainee faces a seriously talented field led by Mark Casse trained Curlin’s Catch and the lightly traced Pens Street.
- Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $350,000
One of two Kentucky Derby preps on Saturday, the Fountain of Youth figures to be a more competitive event than the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. The top two finishers in the Holy Bull, Greatest Honour and Tarantino, resume their rivalry. Mike Maker may enter 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Fire At Will. The switch from turf to dirt could work in Will’s favor.
Oaklawn Park – Saturday, Feb. 27th Races
- Grade 3 Razorback Handicap – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $600,000
Long Range Toddy, Mystic Guide, and Owendale are the name horses in the Grade 3 Razorback. Owendale or Mystic Guide will go off the chalk. Both have back class that could lead to a picture taking session after the race.
- Grade 3 Southwest Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $750,000
Unless the cold weather that hit Arkansas continues into the weekend, the top-rated 3-year-old in the world will make his 2021 debut in the Southwest Stakes. Godolphin owned and Brad Cox trained Essential Quality could offer less than even money odds to beat Jackie’s Warrior, Keepmeinmind, and Spielberg. Keepmeinmind will offer second-choice odds while Spielberg, the Bob Baffert runner, will be the third choice.
Oaklawn Park – Sunday, Feb. 28th Races
- Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – $250,000
Monomoy Girl returns to the races in the Grade 3 Bayakoa. Like what we wrote last week before Oaklawn had to postpone the race to Feb. 28, don’t worry about trying to beat Monomoy. Just marvel at the mare’s incredible talent as she dominates her foes.
