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Mystik Dan Readies for Arkansas Derby

Lance Gasaway, 4G Racing and Daniel Hamby III's Mystik Dan (Goldencents) worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 (20/34) over a fast track at the Fair Grounds Saturday morning. Trained by Ken McPeek, the winner of the Feb. 3 GIII Southwest S. is expected to ship to Oaklawn Wednesday in advance of a tilt at the $1.5-million GI Arkansas Derby Mar. 30. McPeek opted to train Mystik Dan up to the Arkansas Derby, which could award as many as 200 qualifying points to its top five eligible finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) for Kentucky Derby.

“About three weeks ago, I was down there, and he looked great,” said Gasaway of the homebred. “He's been working lights out. Last week, he worked five furlongs in 1:00 and galloped out [six furlongs] in 1:12 and change. That was the plan–take him back there after the Southwest. Scared of the weather and missing work time. We had to work around some rain and one day we did have to work in the mud.”

Also expected for the nine-furlong race, Siena Farm and WinStar's Timberlake (Into Mischief), winner of the Feb. 24 GII Rebel S., also worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (5/34) at Fair Grounds Saturday. His trainer brad Cox will attempt to win his third consecutive renewal of the race following victories in 2022 with Cyberknife and Angel of Empire last year.

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Fierceness Draws Post 10 for Florida Derby

During Saturday's post-position draw at Gulfstream, Repole Stable's Fierceness (City of Light) was installed the 8-5 favorite on the morning line for next weekend's GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Drawing post 10 in the field off 11, the colt will try to give his trainer Todd Pletcher a record eighth win in the Classic prep. Pletcher won the nine-furlong test with defending 2-year-old champion Forte (Violence) last year.

“Normally I'd be afraid of the outside post, but Forte won from the 11 last year, so you can overcome that,” Pletcher said. “Everybody knows Gulfstream two-turn races are very tricky and I think that's why the start is so important, getting away cleanly. I think what happens in a lot of these two-turn races is the jockeys are so conscious of having to get to the first turn in good position that it can get a little rough leaving the gate sometimes.”

Victorious in last fall's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile en route to a juvenile championship, the colt kicked off his sophomore campaign with a third in the GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 3.

Pletcher will also be represented by Repole's recent maiden winner Bail Us Out (Lookin At Lucky), who drew post three. The former will be ridden by Johnny Velazquez while the latter will be accompanied by Irad Ortiz Jr.

D.J. Stable LLC and Robert Cotran's undefeated Hades (Awesome Slew), a front-running winner in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull, drew post 2 and will be accompanied by regular pilot Paco Lopez. He was installed the 7-2 third choice on the morning line.

Courtlandt Farm's Conquest Warrior (City of Light), who is coming off back-to-back wins at Gulfstream including a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance Mar. 1, drew the nine hole for Saturday's race. Given a 3-1 chance on the morning line, the colt is trained by Shug McGaughey, who also saddled Orb for victories in the 2013 GI Florida Derby and GI Kentucky Derby. Jose Ortiz gets the mount.

Also slated to run: Frankie's Empire (Classic Empire) (12-1, Post 1); Grand Mo the First (Uncle Mo) (15-1, Post 4); Real Macho (Mucho Macho Man) (20-1, Post 5); Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) (15-1, Post 6); Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) (20-1, Post 7); Seminole Chief (Girvin) (30-1, Post 8); Iris's Dream (Jess's Dream) (30-1, Post 11).

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Sunday’s Insight: $1.2 Million Gun Runner Colt Makes The Races At Tampa

3rd-TAM, $53K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 1:18 p.m. ET

CARTUCHO (Gun Runner) tied for the ninth highest return during the 2022 Keeneland September Sale when selling to bloodstock agent Mike Ryan for $1.2 million. The debuting bay colt's ownership group includes his breeder Three Chimneys Farm, William H. Lawrence and Walmac Farm. He is trained by Chad Brown.

Cartucho is out of GISW Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon). She was a $2 million 2011 Keeneland November purchase for Besilu, who also acquired her dam–SW Grand Prayer (Grand Slam)–at the same sale for $1 million. Grand Prayer produced MGSW Valid (Medaglia d'Oro). TJCIS PPS

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Daughter of Alice Springs Starts in Key Maiden

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the third foal out of three-time Group 1 heroine Alice Springs (Ire).

13.25 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 3yo f, 8fT
FLEETINGLY (Justify) is the third foal out of the G1 Falmouth S., G1 Matron S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has already produced the group 3-placed Prettiest (Dubawi {Ire}) and Canute (Quality Road) who looked a promising type last term before being fatally injured at Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien introduces her in a 10-runner affair in the race he has won in the last three years with Galileo's future Classic winners Empress Josephine (Ire) and Tuesday (Ire) and group 3 winner and G1 Prix de l'Opera runner-up Jackie Oh (Ire).

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