Fountain of Youth Stakes 2019: Post positions, odds and more

The Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes attracted 11 horses that will on Saturday at Gulfstream Park be chasing more than a share of that purse. The 50 Kentucky Derby 2019 qualifying points to be paid out to the winner are enough for automatic qualification now nine weeks out from the first Saturday in May.

Ahead of post time at 5:32 p.m. ET, here’s a glance at the field:

1. Code of Honor (6-1)

2. Epic Dreamer (20-1)

3. Gladiator King (50-1)

4. Bourbon War (10-1)

5. Vekoma (7-2)

6. Signalman (9-2)

7. Hidden Scroll (9-5)

8. Global Campaign (10-1)

9. Everfast (20-1)

10. Frosted Grace (30-1)

11. Union’s Destiny (30-1)

Fountain of Youth handicapping

• Horse Racing Nation’s Fountain of Youth picks

• Acacia Courtney’s selections

• Free Fountain of Youth past performances

• Should you buy the Hidden Scroll hype?
 

Fountain of Youth field analysis

Via James Scully and Churchill Downs’ “Derby Dispatch,” meet the contenders:

Hidden Scroll, a Juddmonte Farms homebred, was overlooked at 8-1 when opening his career in a one-mile maiden special weight on the Jan. 26 Pegasus World Cup undercard at Gulfstream. The Bill Mott-trained colt showed speed from the start, widening his advantage at every point of call, and drew off spectacularly to a 14-length decision. Hidden Scroll registered a field-best 102 Brisnet Speed rating, and Joel Rosario retains the mount on the son of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun.

Vekoma will make his first attempt in a Kentucky Derby qualifier. The promising Candy Ride colt won both starts last year, including a 1 3/4-length victory in the Nashua (G3) at Aqueduct in November, and will open his 3-year-old campaign with first-time Lasix. George Weaver trains from R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables. Regular rider Manny Franco will be in from New York for the assignment.

Signalman showed an affinity for Churchill Downs last fall, recording a rallying third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), and makes his anticipated 3-year-old bow Saturday. A $32,000 yearling purchase, Signalman has already earned nearly $450,000 for his connections and is conditioned by Kenny McPeek. Brian Hernandez Jr. guides the early 9-2 third choice.

Bourbon War returns to stakes company following a sharp 2 1/4-length allowance triumph last month. Leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. will be up for Mark Hennig. Global Campaign will make his initial stakes appearance after a pair of comfortable wins at Gulfstream, showing good speed defeating maiden special weight and entry-level allowance foes. He’s trained by Stanley Hough and has the services of Luis Saez.

Everfast merits consideration following a runner-up effort in the Feb. 2 Holy Bull (G2) at 128-1 odds. Chris Landeros has the call for Dale Romans. Code of Honor, runner-up in the Champagne (G2) two back, will seek to rebound after finishing fourth as the favorite in the Jan. 5 Mucho Macho Man. John Velazquez rides for Kentucky Derby winner Shug McGaughey. Holy Bull fourth-placer Epic Dreamer is also part of the mix.

Expected longshots Frosted Grace, Gladiator King and Union’s Destiny complete the field.

TimeformUS’ Pace Projector estimates how they’ll line up early:

FOX Sports Saturday At The Races, airing from 3-6 p.m. ET on FS2, features the Fountain of Youth. Additionally, TVG will air the race, or you can live stream it through advanced deposit wagering services such as NYRABets.

Also on the card

Gulfstream Park has nine stakes, all graded, set for Saturday. See full Fountain of Youth day entries and odds.

Race 4: Palm Beach Stakes

Race 5: Canadian Turf Stakes

Race 6: Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes

Race 7: Very One Stakes

Race 8: Herecomesthebride Stakes

Race 11: Honey Fox Stakes

Race 12: Davona Dale Stakes

Race 13: Fountain of Youth Stakes

Race 14: Mac Diarmida Stakes