Derby Hopefuls Line up in Risen Star, Fountain of Youth

With just over two months to go before the Kentucky Derby, the racing for three-year-olds is heating up and there are two major Derby preps on tap on Saturday, with the winner of each race virtually assured a starting spot in the gate in Louisville on the first Saturday of May.

The $400,000 Risen Star at Fair Grounds and the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park offer 50-20-10-5 points to the top four finishers as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series of races.

Both races drew big fields and are excellent betting races. Here are a couple of longshots that are worth a look on Saturday in each race:

Risen Star

Albano (12-1) ran well in a runner up finish in the LeComte (G3) at 11-1 although he was no match for Vicar's in Trouble. He needs to make up nearly seven lengths to turn the tables but should move forward in his second start going two turns. He also draws a better post breaking from the rail while the morning line favorite is parked to the outside.

The colt has come back with a couple of good works for the Larry Jones barn that won this race in 2009 with Friesen Fire. The colt is out of the stakes winner Poncho's Dream Girl ($336,974) who has dropped six other winners including stakes winner Mark Valeski ($658,452), who ran second in this race and the Louisiana Derby (G2) in 2012.

The colt is currently listed at +5000 at BetOnline in Kentucky Derby future wagering.

Fountain of Youth

We Miss Artie (8-1) looks as if he is going to be a decent price in this wide-open race. The Todd Pletcher trainee makes just his third start on conventional dirt. Last out he tracked the early pace, grabbed the lead heading for home and battled on gamely while coming up a head shy of winning the Kitten's Joy on turf here off a 2 1/2 month break.

The colt won the Breeders' Futurity (G1) last year on polytrack and then had a tough trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on dirt, beaten four lengths at 12-1. The colt has put in a pair of solid works since his last outing, has some tactical speed, and should be in the first flight early. The Pletcher barn is 30% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from turf to dirt. The barn has won this race in three of the last seven editions, the most recent being Eskendereya in 2010.

Check BetOnline or Bovada for the latest Derby future odds on We Miss Artie.

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