Horse Racing News by Mike Welsch

Mucho Macho Man, winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star, will return to Fair Grounds to have his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 26.

As each successive split was posted on the timer during the running of Sunday's $150,000 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park, it seemed the chances of pacesetter Little Mike winning the race was getting increasing smaller.

Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo stepped up the pace a little more on Sunday morning, working five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Palm Meadows in company with Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Stay Thirsty.

Soldat left little doubt he's just as capable on a fast track as he is over slop or grass after leading from start to finish en route to a two-length victory over Gourmet Dinner in Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.

R Heat Lightning drew off to a decisive 7 1/2-length victory over even money favorite Dancinginherdreams in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park.

Leading rider Paco Lopez will remain sidelined for at least another week due to injuries sustained in the spill here last Friday that also left Eibar Coa hospitalized with a broken neck.

To Honor and Serve drew post position 7 and tops a field of eight 3-year-olds and Kentucky Derby hopefuls who will contest Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth.

Eibar Coa was scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., to repair a broken wrist suffered in a spill that occurred following Friday's sixth race at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Todd Pletcher continued his domination of the older filly and mare handicap division at Gulfstream Park this winter after sending Awesome Maria out to a decisive 4 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Sabin.

Jockey Eibar Coa underwent surgery to stabilize his fractured C-4 vertebra at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., his agent Tito Fuentes reported shortly before 2 p.m. on Saturday.