2022 Kentucky Derby Prep Race Betting Odds & Picks: Emmanuel, Simplification Headline Fountain of Youth Stakes (March 5)

We take another step toward the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with crucial points on the line in the $400,000 Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The winner of the 1 1/16-mile race on the dirt track lands 50 points, which essentially guarantees the horse and its connections a spot in the starting gate for the 148th edition of the annual "Run for the Roses" on May 7 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The Fountain of Youth is just one of four Derby prep events happening across the country. Horses looking to punch their ticket for a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate on the first Saturday of May go at it in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park as well.

The Gotham Stakes (G3) will be run at Aqueduct, along with the $125,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park, to highlight the loaded schedule.

Looking to build on their sizzling and profitable form, TVG analyst Andie Biancone and Action Network handicapper Jeremy Pond are back, searching for more victories with even better payouts. The duo continued their tear in the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 19, highlighted by their winning late Daily Double that paid a whopping $308.40 on a $2 winning ticket.

Prior to that tasty hit, Biancone nailed longshot winner White Abarrio in the Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 5 at Gulfstream, plus they each connected on another Daily Double tied to the race that paid $129.40 on a $2 ticket.

Pond added to the winning card the duo produced by hitting the Holy Bull exacta and trifecta wagers, closing out the strong showing.

That said, Biancone and Pond are hoping to make some more magic happen here and have taken a deep look at the Fountain of Youth field, featuring 12 entrants. Let's check out their best bets and other featured wagers.

Tune in to TVG for coverage of the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the entire racing card at Gulfstream Park, which will also feature Biancone delivering analysis for the day's slate of races.

2022 Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade II) Odds

*Latest Odds via TVG

Race Information

Date | Post Time: Saturday | 5:42 p.m. ET

Distance | Surface: 1 1/16 miles | Dirt

Location: Gulfstream Park | Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Fountain of Youth Top Picks & Longshots

Andie Biancone

No. 8 Emmanuel (3-1): This is my top pick for the Fountain of Youth.

I'm extremely excited to see this horse stretch out to the 1 1/16-mile distance and based on the way he looks this shouldn’t be an issue at all. Of the horses part of the Todd Pletcher brigade, Emmanuel has been one of the more impressive animals to me both physically, as well as his past performances.

I love the mid-pack post position as well. I think Emmanuel will have the speed to either take the lead or at least be close to it. Based on his past races, this horse hasn't met a serious challenge yet, so it will be extremely interesting to see how he handles the Florida heat.

No. 2 Simplification (5-2): This horse has been impressive to say the least and has only been improving with distance.He finished a game second in the Holy Bull despite facing a troubled trip, forcing him to rally from off the pace.

Simplification has shown versatility in his running style, proving he has speed but can also rate. That versatility will prove to be a huge advantage in a race that has so much potential early speed, plus I like the post position he drew.

He also has an edge point in terms of experience. His fitness is also solid, as he has been consistently running and working leading up to this stakes event.

If Simplification gets a clean trip, he should be right there.

Longshot — No. 6 Rattle N Roll (8-1): I love this horse at the morning-line price of 12-1 odds.

He's coming off a lengthy layoff, but you absolutely cannot knock his record. The only time Rattle N Roll has ever run off the board was when he ran in a Maiden Special Weight event at Saratoga Race Course, where he was accidentally struck in the left eye by another rider’s whip.

To this day, Rattle N Roll has a leaky eye from that incident, but it didn’t stop him from breaking his maiden next time out and then followed that with an impressive 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 1 Breeders Futurity at Keeneland, where he beat Sam F. Davis winner Classic Causeway.

Although this horse is lightly raced, I think it's almost an advantage point in some ways that he was given time to grow during his 2-year-old campaign instead of being pushed into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He also has quite the impressive work tab leading up to this race and is proven going this distance.

Jeremy Pond

Best Bets

$10 Win | Place | Show: No. 6 Rattle N Roll (8-1)

$4 Exacta: 2-6-8 over 2-4-6-8-9-12

$1.50 Trifecta: 2-6-8 over 2-4-6-7-8-9-10 over 2-4-6-7-8-9-10

Exotic Wagering

(Races 12-13)

Biancone's Daily Double

Fountain of Youth Stakes | Herecomesthebride Stakes

2-4-6-7-8 | 2-5-8-9

Pond's Daily Double

Fountain of Youth Stakes | Herecomesthebride Stakes

2-4-6-8-9 | 2-5-8-12

Road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby