Super Screener: Sand Springs is a springboard to fortune

Obviously there is a lot of excitement about the Kentucky Derby prep races on Saturday, but in this big event era the whole cards involving these marquee races have become blockbusters.

So it goes at Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn, where 13 races at each location support the Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, respectively. Although those Grade 1 races feature short prices in Sovereignty and Cornucopian, the undercard stakes have long shots that excite Mike Shutty.

Chief among them in this week's 10-stakes book is the Sand Springs Stakes at Gulfstream, a 1 1/16-mile race for older fillies and mares on the grass. Going as race 12, the Sand Springs kicks off the coast-to-coast Pick 5 and is the middle leg of the all-stakes Pick 5 that ends in the Florida Derby. This week's Super Screener also includes wagering strategy specific to the late Pick 4 that ends in the Florida Derby, with the Sand Springs being the second leg.

"A great wagering opportunity awaits in the Sand Springs, which attracted an overflow field of 12," Shutty said. "The pace is going to be hot with plenty of pressure, so this really sets up well for a filly or mare with a strong late foot.

"Vina Arana checks that box and more," Shutty continues. "She hasn't raced since August, so that introduces some risk here in terms of expecting a peak performance, but she will be ready and there won't be any quit in her come stretch time. She is a must use at a very favorable price."

Vina Arana is one of two in here that Super Screener identifies as a Top Win Contender. The other is Movin' On Up, who Super Screener also sees as the Most Reliable Board Hitter. Vina Arana got the Top Longshot designation.

"Movin' On Up won here off a 4 1/2-month layoff, and she projects to move forward here, which puts her in contention here," Shutty says. "She will be last of all but should save ground and will be rolling in the stretch similar to Vina Arana. It is a wide-open contest, so taking a shot with these two could produce rewards.

"This is the best wagering opportunity on the day."

For each race Super Screener includes not only the aforementioned categorizing of contenders, but also analysis and wagering strategy for using those horses. Subscribe now and get 11 weeks of Super Screener plus daily Power Picks and Horses to Single Reports all for just $97.