Handicapping the Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth Stakes

LAURIE

ASHLEY

Fellowship (Awesome of Course - Go Girlfriend Go, by Demidoff) finished third in the Holy Bull, seven lengths behind Mohaymen. Previously, he wasn’t in the same zip code as Awesome Speed in the Mucho Macho Man.  Talented local horse, but he’s outclassed here.  One of two entered for local trainer Stanley Gold.  

Fellowship—With 9 career starts under his girth, Fellowship gets the award for the most experienced runner in the field. Unfortunately, all that running has been done at Gulfstream and Calder, now known as Gulfstream Park West, during a time in which the competition has been suspect as the top talent runs at the more traditional summer and fall circuits. In the Holy Bull, Fellowship was bumped at the start and passed tiring rivals to grab third at long odds.  However, the Holy Bull drew a short field of just 6, much like this spot has. Regular jockey Jose Caraballo chose Awesome Banner over Fellowship, giving me the indication that he believes Banner stands a better chance of running well than Fellowship. Jose Lezcano hops aboard instead.

Zulu (Bernardini - Temporada, by Summer Squall) is this year’s Itsaknockout. Pletcher has captured the Fountain of Youth 4 times since 2000. Zulu enters the FOY with the exact pattern as two of Pletcher’s winners, Quality Road and Itsaknockout. Maiden win as a 2YO in late fall/winter, allowance race in January, victory in the FOY.  Zulu is inbred 3X3 to the blue hen Weekend Surprise. Classy pedigree and should love the extra distance. Win contender.

Zulu—The first of the trio of undefeated colts, Zulu has two wins from as many starts. Both have been over the Gulfstream main track, but he somehow has not caught a fast surface in the Sunshine State. He will be stretching out and trying two turns in addition to racing over a fast track for the first time. As a Todd Pletcher trainee, Zulu cannot be ignored. Use for exotics.

Golden Ray (American Lion - Nault, by Woodman) is the extra warm body in the field to help boost the entries. As Ashley said, he’s best on the lead, but he’s not fast enough to be cheap speed.  Poor Golden Ray is making his seventh start since November. Give the poor horse a break and put him at a level where he can win and get a confidence booster. Pass.

Golden Ray—Trained by Juan Rodriguez, Golden Ray, for me, falls firmly into that lovely “what is he doing in this spot” category. His three wins came in his career debut, a $35,000 claiming race and a non-winner of one optional claimer. All his prior attempts in stakes company have resulted in bad beats with the exception of his third in the OBS Championship. His best efforts have come while being on the lead, so I expect jockey Miguel Vasquez to send him early. Cheap speed? I think so. Toss.

Awesome Speed (Awesome Again - Speedy Escape, by Aptitude) is a talented youngster who is improving in every start. He’s battle tested and should be in his element at longer distances. Nice pedigree too. His dam’s half sister bore G1 winning sprinter Unfurl the Flag.  The well-named Awesome Speed could contest a hot pace with the other ‘Awesome” horse. Contender.

Awesome Speed—After learning a thing or two in his career debut, Awesome Speed has clicked off three straight wins, the last coming right here at Gulfstream when routing for the first time. Trainer Alan Goldberg must have reckoned that “Speed” has earned the chance to test deeper waters, and it doesn’t get much deeper than going against undefeated Mohaymen, who also graces the top of a lot of people’s Derby Contenders list right now. With a win going a mile already, the added sixteenth of a mile should be no problem.

Awesome Banner (Awesome of Course - Miranda Stands, by Zamindar) has run them off of their feet in all three starts. As Ashley said, he’s the speed of the race and will be winging it on the lead. This guy could pull the upset if they let him get far enough in front. This guy reminds me a lot of Wildcat Red, who pulled the upset in 2014. Contender.

Awesome Banner—Undefeated in three career starts, this will be Awesome Banner’s first attempt at stretching out beyond 7 furlongs and going two turns, and it could not have come in a more difficult spot. Regular jockey Jose Caraballo retains the mount aboard the speedy sprinter, and you can be assured that they will gun for the lead. In a bigger field, I would toss “Banner” completely, but in a field this short, he could very well stick around for a minor award on a track that favors his running style.

Mohaymen (Tapit - Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union) is undefeated and untested. He won the Holy Bull by 3 ½ lengths for fun. As a side note, his dam won the Davona Dale in 2009 for trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin. Ashley pretty much said it all. Contender.

Mohaymen—I really do not see a downside to this undefeated son of Tapit. In each career start, he has progressed, posting a higher speed figure each time. He has posted two recorded works since the Holy Bull, a bullet 4 furlong sharpener on the 12^th and then an easy maintenance work on the 19^th. The outside post will keep him out of trouble without being so far outside that it will compromise his running position going into that quick first turn. It goes without saying that Mohaymen is the one to beat, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should stretch his unbeaten streak to 5.