2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes morning-line odds, picks, post time: Racing insider offers betting strategy for Saturday's Kentucky Derby prep race
Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir, who nailed a $195 exacta in last year's Fountain of Youth Stakes, attacks this year's Fountain of Youth on Saturday at Gulfstream Park
Last year's champion 2-year-old colt, Forte, kicks off a 3-year-old campaign that's focused on winning the Kentucky Derby when he leaves the starting gate in the 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park outside of Miami. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Forte has four wins in five career starts. He has been installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the Fountain of Youth Stakes odds. Champagne Stakes winner Blazing Sevens is the 7-2 second choice in the 10-horse Fountain of Youth Stakes field. Post time for the $400,000 race is 5:43 p.m. ET.
With several lightly raced 3-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir has to say before making any Fountain of Youth Stakes picks.
A member of the Beyer Speed Figure-making team who is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Weir is a two-time qualifier for the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. He has produced multiple five-figure days at the track over the years, including a $60,000 Pick 6 at Del Mar in 2014.
Last year he was red-hot in the Triple Crown prep races, hitting the superfecta in the Blue Grass Stakes, the trifecta in the Louisiana Derby and exactas in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby. He also hit the 19-1 winner of the Man o' War Stakes, the trifecta in the Pegasus World Cup, the superfecta in the Met Mile and multiple Pick 4s, including May 14's at Belmont for $1,851. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Weir has handicapped the 2023 Fountain of Youth field, made his picks and constructed his bets.
One surprise: Weir's top pick is not Forte, even though he is the reigning 2-year-old champion. While Weir acknowledges that Forte is a deserving favorite, he is concerned that the horse may not be set to run his best on Saturday since there are more important races just around the corner. "Can he still win if he's only 80% to 90% cranked for his return?" Weir asked. "Maybe, but he's going to be a strong favorite. This is a good spot to take him on."
Instead, Weir's top pick is a "wild card" who faces a "big ask" on Saturday. He also is high on two double-digit longshots "running well." Weir is including these horses in his 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any of your own!
Who will win the Fountain of Youth Stakes 2023? What double-digit longshots are MUST-BACKS? And how has Weir constructed his wagers? ... Join SportsLine right now to get the top 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes picks, all from the racing insider who nailed last year's exacta for $195 in the Fountain of Youth!