HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A field of 11 3-year-olds has been entered for Saturday’s $425,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, an important stepping-stone on the Kentucky Derby trail and final major prep for the $1 million Florida Derby on March 28. The 1 1/16-mile fixture goes as the finale on a 14-race card that kicks off at 11:30 a.m.
The lineup for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth is a strong one and features Napoleon Solo, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne in his 2-year-old finale; Commandment, impressive winner of the one-mile Mucho Macho Man here earlier in the meet; Bravaro, runner-up in the Grade 3 Holy Bull in his 3-year-old bow; and Bravaro’s undefeated and yet untested stablemate Solitude Dude.
The remainder of the field includes the unbeaten Jackson Hole, Rockies Balboa, Talkin, Chief Wallabee, Bull by the Horns, Global Aviator, and Lost Money.
The majority of the leading candidates for Fountain of Youth are well drawn, with Jackson Hole breaking from the rail under jockey John Velazquez, Commandment in post 4 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up, Bravaro alongside in post 5 with his regular rider Tyler Gaffalione, and Napoleon Solo from post 7 with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. The speedy Solitude Dude took the worst of the draw among the key contenders. He will begin from post 10 with his new jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle. Traditionally, horses in outside posts are at a disadvantage with a relatively short run to the first turn in 1 1/16-mile dirt races at Gulfstream Park.
Bravaro was cross-entered and drew the rail for Sunday’s Rebel at Oaklawn Park, although trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed after the Fountain of Youth draw that he will run locally.
“I put him in at Oaklawn as insurance,” Joseph explained. “They were talking about maybe 12 or 14 in the race, and I didn’t want for him to be drawn in posts 11 or 12 and have no options. But five is a good draw, so he’ll definitely run here.”
Joseph also is pleased with the way Bull by the Horns is coming into the race, especially after watching him blow out for the assignment here Sunday. Working in the fog, Bull by the Horns broke off 1 1/2 lengths behind a workmate and was going clear at the wire before galloping out with good energy into the turn.
“We could barely see the half-mile pole but we clocked him in 47.80,” Joseph said. “Obviously, he needs to improve significantly on his numbers, but he is an improving horse who, if he does, can be along to at least pick up a piece.”
Trainer Chad Summers, who had been considering cross-entering Napoleon Solo in Saturday’s Gotham at Aqueduct, said he abandoned that plan Sunday after his horse also drew favorably for the Fountain of Youth.
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