FOY, Risen Star compete for same horses

The decision by Fair Grounds to rearrange its stakes schedule and push the Louisiana Derby back to March 27 did much more than simply motivate Gulfstream management to move the Grade 1 Florida Derby up a week to March 20 to avoid a potential head-to-head conflict between the two races. It has also put both tracks in competition for the plethora of outstanding 3-year-olds stabled in south Florida this winter. This is true not only for the Florida and Louisiana derbies but also for next Saturday's preps, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream and the Grade 3 Risen Star at Fair Grounds, as well.