HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Although his speed figures might be a little light and he’s yet to test stakes company, Jackson Hole has one item on his résumé that makes him a leading contender for Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth: He’s the only member of the field to have won a race around two turns.
Jackson Hole is one of four undefeated Fountain of Youth horses, along with Napoleon Solo, Solitude Dude, and Chief Wallabee. He captured his career debut at seven furlongs here Dec. 13 and then launched his 3-year-old campaign at Fair Grounds with a very impressive 5 1/2-length allowance victory when stretching out to 1 1/16 miles five weeks later.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, whose Kentucky Derby arsenal already includes stakes winners Nearly and Renegade, opted to keep Jackson Hole in South Florida for his stakes debut rather than send him back to New Orleans to begin what he hopes will be a successful journey along the Derby trail.
“He was professional enough to win both his starts while appearing to be a little green and still learning in both those races,” Pletcher said of Jackson Hole, a $1.3 million yearling purchase at the 2024 Keeneland September sale.
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Jackson Hole has had four works at the Palm Beach Downs training center since his victory at Fair Grounds, for which he earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure. Although Flavien Prat rode him to victory in his last start, Jackson Hole will be reunited with John Velazquez, who was aboard the promising colt for his maiden tally.
“He’s training very well. It looks like there are some very solid horses in the field, and this race should prove a stern test not just for our horse, but for everyone,” Pletcher commented.
Jackson Hole will break from the rail in his stakes debut, normally a good spot considering the short run to the first turn in races decided at 1 1/16 miles over the main track at Gulfstream Park. Pletcher still has some mixed emotions about the draw.
“The inside part of the track hasn’t been particularly great here through most of the meet,” Pletcher noted. “But then again, in these two-turn races, it can be extremely difficult if you draw way on the outside. There appears to be quite a bit of pace in the race, so hopefully he breaks alertly and secures good position into the first turn. He’s shown he’s not a headstrong horse, so I think he’ll cooperate with whatever Johnny asks.”
Both Pletcher and Velazquez will be looking to build on their record-setting accomplishments in the Fountain of Youth. Pletcher has won four renewals of the event, most of any trainer, while Velazquez has captured five previous additions to lead all riders in that category. The two have combined to win the race twice previously, in 2007 with Scat Daddy and three years later with Eskendereya.