WEST/DECLAN'S MOON RETURNS IN SANTA CATALINA - Reigning 2-year-old champion Declan's Moon takes his first step toward Kentucky Derby 131 (Grade I) at Churchill Downs on Saturday when the unbeaten star faces five rivals in the $200,000-added Santa Catalina (GII) at Santa Anita.

The unbeaten son of Malibu Moon has been training sharply for the first race in a schedule of only two preps before the May 7 Kentucky Derby, but trainer Ron Ellis said that Declan's Moon does not figure to be at his sharpest for Saturday's 1 1/16-mile test.

"It's not like this is the last time he's ever going to run, so we haven't pushed him," Ellis told the Daily Racing Form. "He's worked within himself. I think he's in the 90- to 95-percent range of being fit. I think his talent will carry him through."

The Maryland-bred gelding is owned by Jay Em Ess Stable will be ridden by regular jockey Victor Espinoza. He brings a perfect record in four races and earnings of $507,300 into his 3-year-old debut.

The Santa Catalina will be the first race for Declan's Moon since he sewed up his Eclipse Award as 2-year-old champion with a victory in the Hollywood Futurity (GI) at Hollywood Park on Dec. 18. Whether he continues his unbeaten string depends on how he handles an accomplished group of rivals that include Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor's Spanish Chestnut, winner of the San Rafael (GII) for trainer Patrick Biancone, and Robert and Beverly Lewis' Going Wild, who recently scored his third consecutive victory in a front-running win in the Sham Stakes for four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

An interesting newcomer Snack, an Indiana-bred son of Afternoon Deelites who comes into the race off of a pair of stakes victories at Turfway Park. He was purchased privately after his most recent victory in the WEBN Stakes and moved to the Southern California barn of trainer Doug O'Neill. Snack compiled a record of 4-2-2 in eight races for previous trainer Mike Lauer.

Also on Saturday's program at Santa Anita is the $100,000 Baldwin Stakes (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 6 ½-furlongs on the distinctive downhill turf course. The race has attracted a field of 12 that includes Chandtrue.

EAST/FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, SWALE AT GULFSTREAM - Two major Kentucky Derby preps - the 59th running of the $300,000 Fountain of Youth (GII) and the 20th running of the $150,000 Swale (GII) - are on Saturday's schedule at Gulfstream Park and it's difficult to assess going in which of the two races will be the more important test.

The Fountain of Youth, the track's major prep for the Florida Derby (GI), has attracted a field of 11 horses, but two could scratch before the field leaves the starting gate because their trainers were unhappy with the results of the post position draw.

The morning line favorite for the 1 1/8-mile race is Live Oak Plantation's High Fly, who makes his first start since he was moved to the barn of two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Nick Zito. The son of Atticus is coming off a third-place finish to Fountain of Youth rival Closing Argument in the Holy Bull (GIII) at Gulfstream, his first loss in four career races.

Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor's Bandini, a son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who won a recent Gulfstream allowance race by nine lengths for trainer Todd Pletcher, is also highly-regarded.

Possible scratches from the race include Kansas City Boy and Dearest Mon. Kansas City Boy drew post two for trainer Ken McPeek, who did not want an inside post and said his colt could skip this race and run next week in the Louisiana Derby (GII). Trainer Richard Violette, Jr. did not want an outside post for Dearest Mon, but drew post 10.

Harry J. Aleo's Lost In The Fog heads a field of 11 3-year-olds in the Swale. The unbeaten son of Lost Soldier has won his three starts by a combined margin of 26 ¾-lengths for trainer Greg Gilchrist. Northern California riding king Russell Baze will be in the saddle.

Others in the field include Nancy Vanier and Cartwright Thoroughbreds' Straight Line and Buckram Oak Farm's unbeaten Port Town. Straight Line makes his first start since a five-length victory in the Iroquois Stakes last fall at Churchill Downs.

CENTRAL/AFLEET ALEX RETURNS AT OAKLAWN; BATTAGLIA ATTRACTS NINE AT TURFWAY - Cash Is King Stable's Afleet Alex, one of the top 2-year-olds of 2004 and runner-up to Wilko in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI), turned up among the six horses in the entry box for Saturday's $50,000 Mountain Valley Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The six-furlong sprint will serve as his first step toward the Kentucky Derby in a campaign that will also include the March 19 Rebel (GIII) and the Arkansas Derby (GII).

The $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park has attracted a field that includes the Patrick Byrne-trained Magna Graduate; Ultimate, an eight-length maiden winner at Gulfstream Park for trainer Nick Zito; and Maryland invader Malibu Moonshine.

REGISTRATION CONTINUES FOR '05 "ROAD TO THE ROSES - The journey to Churchill Downs on the road to the Kentucky Derby remains in its early stages and plenty of time remains to register for the "Road to the Roses 2005" Online game. Top prizes in this year's game include a VIP trip to the Kentucky Derby and you could win one of three berths in the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association Handicapping Championship next January in Las Vegas, Nev.

Information and registration is available at www.roadtotheroses.com.

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