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Pfanenstiel Named Featured Milliner for Derby

Master Milliner and owner of Louisville-based Formé Millinery Jenny Pfanenstiel has been named a Featured Milliner of the 147th GI Kentucky Derby. Pfanenstiel is renowned for her one-of-a-kind creations. Her hats and fascinators for women and men are available at the Formé Millinery Hat Shop in downtown Louisville, specialty boutiques and at www.formemillinery.com.

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Southwest Stakes: Spielberg In, Keepmeinmind To Wait For Rebel

Southern California-based Spielberg will join the lineup for this Saturday's delayed edition of the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, reports the Daily Racing Form, while locally-based Keepmeinmind will wait two weeks for the G2 Rebel Stakes.

The Southwest, originally scheduled for Feb. 15, was delayed two weeks by a series of winter storms that hit that Hot Springs, Ark. track, but will still offer the winner 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Spielberg, a 3-year-old son of Union Rags trained by Bob Baffert, won the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity in 2020, but failed to fire when fourth last out in the G3 Bob Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.

The colt worked six furlongs in 1:13.00 at Santa Anita on Sunday. He'll be piloted in the Southwest by Martin Garcia

“We're going,” Baffert told drf.com. “We'll see what he does over there. He's been training well.”

The Southwest is also expected to draw champion Essential Quality and Grade 1 winner Jackie's Warrior. Entries will be taken Tuesday afternoon.

Keepmeinmind, the Grade 2-winning son of Laoban trained by Robertino Diodoro, missed 11 days of training due to the condition in Arkansas, hence the decision to delay his 2021 debut until the Rebel Stakes on March 13.

Swale Winner Drain The Clock Joins Strong Field For Saturday’s Fountain Of Youth

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed Monday afternoon that Drain the Clock will run in Saturday's $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The impressive winner of the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream Park in his most recent start was also being considered for the March 6 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct.

“Drain the Clock is going to run in the Fountain of Youth,” Joseph said. “We get to stay at home and don't have to ship. The weather in New York can be unpredictable this time of year “

Drain the Clock has won four of five career starts, his only loss coming in his third start when his jockey was unseated when an iron broke in a Delta Downs stakes in November. The son of Maclean's Music has won all three of his races impressively at Gulfstream.

The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, the major prep for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 27 at Gulfstream, will headline a 14-race program with nine stakes, eight graded. It will mark Drain the Clock's first opportunity to win around two turns.

“I think he'll get two turns. But you don't know until they do it,” Joseph said. “He has stamina on his dam's side. He's won his races very impressively, so he deserves the chance. “

Drain the Clock is scheduled to join a deep field that includes Greatest Honour, Tarantino and Prime Factor, the first three finishers, respectively, in the Jan. 30 Holy Bull (G3). The Fountain of Youth offers the winner 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The post Swale Winner Drain The Clock Joins Strong Field For Saturday’s Fountain Of Youth appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Down the Shedrow with Bob Baffert

Year after year, two-time Triple Crown-winning conditioner Bob Baffert has some of the country's top runners in his shedrow and 2021 is no exception. The Hall of Famer has a plethora of possible GI Kentucky Derby runners; a few possible GI Kentucky Oaks contenders; the reigning champion female sprinter; and several exciting unraced prospects. You never know when Baffert will unleash the next superstar or which of his horses will be on top by the first weekend in May, but you can count on him having a live contender in most of the big dances.

Baffert filled the TDN's Christie DeBernardis in on his plans for his leading sophomores and a few of his other top runners.

LIFE IS GOOD (c, 3, Into Mischief)

Though champion Authentic is now retired, Baffert has another son of Into Mischief who may be poised to fill his shoes in the undefeated Life is Good. Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his dazzling debut win at Del Mar Nov. 22, the $525,000 KEESEP buy followed suit with a victory in Santa Anita's GIII Sham S. Jan. 2.

“He is still doing well. He runs in the San Felipe, so we are getting ready for that.”

CONCERT TOUR (c, 3, Street Sense)

Baffert has another unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' on the Derby trail in Concert Tour. An impressive first-out winner at Santa Anita Jan. 15, the Gary and Mary West homebred captured the GII San Vicente S. next out Feb. 6.

“All is well. He is going to go to the [GII] Rebel [S. Mar. 13 at Oaklawn].”

FREEDOM FIGHTER (c, 3, Violence)

Freedom Fighter carries the banner for the group known as the Avengers. The dark bay won his career bow at Del Mar Aug. 1 and came up a half-length short of Concert Tour when second in the San Vicente.

“I am going to send him to the [GIII] Gotham [S. Mar. 6 at Aqueduct].”

MEDINA SPIRIT (c, 3, Protonico)

Opening his account at Los Alamitos Dec. 11, Medina Spirit completed the exacta behind Life is Good in the Sham. The Florida-bred broke through at the graded level next out with a gritty score in Santa Anita's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Jan. 30.

“He is nominated everywhere. I will know in about another week. I sort of have an idea, but I am waiting.”

SPIELBERG (c, 3, Union Rags)

Also campaigned by the Avengers crew, Spielberg placed in both the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity S. and the GI American Pharoah S. prior to breaking his maiden at Del Mar Nov. 1. Fourth in the GIII Bob Hope S. Nov. 15, the $1-million KEESEP purchase captured the GII Los Alamitos Futurity S. Dec. 19 and was a disappointing fourth in the Bob Lewis last out.

“He came back and worked well. I might run him in the [GIII] Southwest [S. at Oaklawn Feb. 27].”

CLASSIER (c, 3, Empire Maker)

Classier, a $775,000 KEESEP acquisition, earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors for his impressive career bow in Arcadia Oct. 24 and was eighth when last seen in the GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile S. Nov. 6.

“I had a set back with him. He is off the Derby trail.”

TRIPLE TAP (c, 3, Tapit)

Summer Wind homebred Triple Tap has yet to make the races, but his pedigree makes him a very exciting prospect. The chestnut is a half-brother to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah and a full to Jane Lyon's Grade I winner Chasing Yesterday.

“He actually had his first gate work [Thursday] and he went really well [five furlongs in :59.60 (1/32)] (Click here for XBTV video). He's about a month away still. He is getting there slowly. I don't want to jinx him or anything, but he is a nice horse.”

KALYPSO (f, 3, Brody's Cause)

Earning her diploma at third asking in the Anoakia S. Oct. 18, Kalypso checked in second in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 5 and came back to win the GII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 3. The chestnut completed the exacta last time in Santa Anita's GIII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 6.

“She is doing well. She is probably more of a one-turn horse, but we will run her back in the next race here [the GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 7] or the [GII] Santa Anita Oaks [Apr. 3]. I'm not sure yet.”

VARDA (f, 3, Distorted Humor)

A debut winner at Del Mar Aug. 30, Varda was second to retired stablemate Princess Noor (Not This Time) in Santa Anita's GII Chandelier S. Sept. 26. The bay defeated both that rival and Kalypso when taking the GI Starlet S. at odds of 17-1.

“She has a little set back and is off the Oaks trail.”

GAMINE (f, 4, Into Mischief)

Yet another first-out winner from this barn to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' tag Mar. 7, Gamine was disqualified from a two-turn victory at Oaklawn May 2. Dominating both the GI Longines Acorn S. June 20 and the GI Longines Test S. Aug. 8, the $1.8-million EASMAY buy crossed the line third in the Kentucky Oaks, but was disqualified and placed ninth for a positive test Sept. 4. The bay captured the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint S. Nov. 7, clinching the female sprint championship in the process.

“Gamine is doing well. She had her second little breeze. We are pointing for Derby week maybe, the GI Derby City Distaff.”

HAPPIER (f, 4, Street Sense)

Happier wired the field to earn her diploma and 'TDN Rising Star' honors in her Del Mar unveiling July 31. Sent to the sidelines following that effort, the $800,000 KEESEP purchase returned to action in Arcadia Feb. 14, winning an optional claimer.

“She is a very nice filly. I think she wants to go longer, so we will look to stretch her out.”

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