Fountain of Youth Stakes
Spectacular Bid, Tim Tam, Kauai King, Bet Twice, Forty Niner, Proud Truth, Thunder Gulch—you might assume any race with such an illustrious roster of winners is a Triple Crown race, or at least a Grade 1. In actuality this decorated list of champions belongs to the Fountain of Youth (G2), a historic Kentucky Derby prep race held at Gulfstream Park.
First run in 1945 and currently contested over 1 1/16 miles, the Fountain of Youth has been producing Derby contenders for generations. It was Calumet Farm’s Tim Tam who first put the race on the map by completing the Fountain of Youth/Kentucky Derby double in 1958, a feat subsequently replicated by Kauai King (1966), Spectacular Bid (1979), Thunder Gulch (1995), and Orb (2013).
Few Fountain of Youth winners have been more spectacular than Spectacular Bid. A Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame inductee, Spectacular Bid crushed his rivals by 8 1/2 lengths and stopped the timer in 1:41.20, just 0.20 off the stakes record set by Sensitive Prince in 1978.
Beaten Fountain of Youth runners have also enjoyed strong success in the Kentucky Derby, a testament to the quality of competition the race attracts. Derby winners Carry Back (1961), Forward Pass (1968), Dust Commander (1970), Cannonade (1974), Pleasant Colony (1981), Swale (1984), Unbridled (1990), and Go for Gin (1994) all came up short at Gulfstream before reaching the winner’s circle on the first Saturday in May.
The Fountain of Youth produced just one Kentucky Derby winner during the first two decades of the 21st century, though the race remained deeply relevant as a steppingstone toward the Triple Crown. Derby runners-up Ice Box (2010), Good Magic (2018), and Code of Honor (2019) all contested the Fountain of Youth, as did Preakness (G1) winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes (G1) champions Jazil (2006) and Union Rags (2012).
As part of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series the Fountain of Youth awards 50 Derby qualification points to the winner, essentially making the race a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Derby.
The 2023 Fountain of Youth takes place this Saturday over a distance of 1 1/16 miles. A field of 10 has been entered, led by early Kentucky Derby favorite Forte.
Let's take a horse-by-horse look at the field.
1) General Jim
Total 6 start(s) Wins: 3, Place: 0, Show: 2
Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream.
Total Earnings: $231,533
Owner: Courtlandt FarmsBreeder: Fifth Avenue Bloodstock & Centerline Breeding
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: Luis Saez
Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Inspired by Grace
Color: Bay
Winner of the Swale (G3) sprinting seven furlongs over the Gulfstream dirt, General Jim has also proven his worth running long on turf, winning maiden and allowance contests. Two-turn dirt racing is unfamiliar territory for General Jim, but his pedigree suggests the configuration won’t be an issue, and the 97 Brisnet Speed rating he posted in the Swale indicates he's fast enough to challenge for a top-five finish in the Fountain of Youth.
2) Legacy Isle
Total 4 start(s) Wins: 2, Place: 1, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (90) when finishing second (disqualified from first) in the Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream.
Total Earnings: $90,725
Owner: Daniel L. Walters, Dennis G. Smith, Anthony Smith, and Rohan Crichton
Breeder: Erv Woolsey and Ralph Kinder
Trainer: Rohan Crichton
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Sire: Shackleford
Dam: Queenameina
Color: Dark bay/brown
Crossed the wire first in three straight one-turn races to start his career, but faltered when stretching out around two turns for the Holy Bull (G3) against tougher competition, weakening to finish fourth behind Fountain of Youth rivals Rocket Can and Shadow Dragon. He’ll need improvement to turn the tables on Saturday.
3) Shadow Dragon
Total 3 start(s) Wins: 1, Place: 1, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (93) when finishing second in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream.
Total Earnings: $92,050
Owner: Peachtree Stable
Breeder: AJ Suited
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Sire: Army Mule
Dam: Fire Assay
Color: Dark bay/brown
Ran a gutsy race in the Holy Bull (G3) over this track and distance last month, rallying from last place in a field of eight to finish second by three-quarters of a length. The son of Army Mule earned a powerful 108 Brisnet Late Pace rating (tied for the highest number in the Fountain of Youth field), and that effort marked Shadow Dragon’s first run off a three-month layoff. He’s only run three times and is eligible to move forward again in the Fountain of Youth, so don’t count this 12-1 longshot out of the mix.
4) Forte
Total 5 start(s) Wins: 4, Place: 0, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $1,595,150
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Breeder: South Gate Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Sire: Violence
Dam: Queen Caroline
Color: Dark bay/brown
Last year’s champion two-year-old male wrapped up his juvenile season with consecutive victories in the Hopeful (G1), Breeders’ Futurity (G1), and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), along the way defeating accomplished Road to the Kentucky Derby competitors like Blazing Sevens, Instant Coffee, and Red Route One. With a pair of triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings under his belt, Forte is hands-down the horse to beat while kicking off his three-year-old season in the Fountain of Youth.
5) Il MiracoloTotal
7 start(s) Wins: 1, Place: 3, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (85) when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream.
Total Earnings: $62,125
Owner: Alex Andres
Breeder: Willow Oaks Stable
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Jockey: Edgar Perez
Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Tapit's World
Color: Chestnut
Finished first or second in each of his first four starts at Gulfstream Park, but he’s struggled since stepping into stakes competition over the same track, finishing seventh in the Mucho Macho Man S. and fifth in the Holy Bull (G3). Il Miracolo will need a step forward to turn things around on Saturday.
6) Blazing Sevens
Total 4 start(s) Wins: 2, Place: 0, Show: 1
Top Speed Rating: (94) when finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $468,750
Owner: Rodeo Creek Racing
Breeder: Tracy Farmer
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Sire: Good Magic
Dam: Trophy Girl
Color: Dark bay/brown
Last year’s Champagne (G1) winner compiled a productive two-year-old season, but finished behind Forte when third in the Hopeful (G1) and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Blazing Sevens hasn’t run since November, but he’s turned in some quick workouts in preparation for his return, so there’s at least an outside chance he’s progressed enough over the winter to turn the tables on Forte.
7) Mage
Total 1 start(s) Wins: 1, Place: 0, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning his debut at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $42,000
Owner: OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH
Breeder: Grandview Equine
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Sire: Good Magic
Dam: Puca
Color: Chestnut
A wildcard in the Fountain of Youth field, Mage posted a 101 Brisnet Speed rating equal to Forte’s best when wiring his debut at Gulfstream Park by 3 3/4 lengths. But that contest was a seven-furlong maiden special weight, and Mage is stepping up significantly in class and distance for the Fountain of Youth, so repeating the 101 could be a challenge. On the bright side, Mage is bred to relish stretching out in distance. Don’t dismiss him from consideration.
8) Rocket Can
Total 5 start(s) Wins: 2, Place: 1, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (96) when breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $249,738
Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Tension
Color: Gray/roan
A midpack rally carried Rocket Can to victory in the Holy Bull (G3) over this track and distance last month. The son of four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief held tough down the homestretch to beat Shadow Dragon by three-quarters of a length. In terms of Brisnet Speed ratings, Rocket Can has run faster than Blazing Sevens, and his 106 and 108 Brisnet Late Pace ratings are also eye-catching. A top-four finish is within reach, even while facing tougher competition than in the Holy Bull.
9) Cyclone Mischief
Total 5 start(s)Wins: 2, Place: 0, Show: 1
Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning a Gulfstream allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $114,950
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables and Castleton Lyons
Breeder: Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Areyoucominghere
Color: Bay
Was favored to win the Holy Bull (G3) after defeating Rocket Can by 5 3/4 lengths in a one-mile allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. However, Cyclone Mischief never fired and finished seventh. If you excuse that poor showing, Cyclone Mischief’s form lines look competitive. The 99 Brisnet Speed rating he posted when defeating Rocket Can indicates he’s good enough to challenge against graded stakes competition on his best day.
10) Dangerous Ride
Total 9 start(s) Wins: 3, Place: 1, Show: 0
Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a Gulfstream allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $154,832
Owner: Palm Beach Racing V
Breeder: Palm Beach Racing III
Trainer: Carlos David
Jockey: Miguel Vasquez
Sire: Lord Nelson
Dam: Ride a Wave
Color: Dark bay/brown
With seven stakes starts under his belt, Dangerous Ride is one of the most experienced horses in the Fountain of Youth field. He recently dropped in class to wire a seven-furlong allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream, but the 88 Brisnet Speed rating Dangerous Ride posted that day looks a little light against Saturday’s field.
