Simplification wins Fountain of Youth for tough connections

For trainer Antonio Sano and owner Tami Bobo, Simplification’s 3 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday was proof that tough times do not last. Tough people do.

Sano was twice a kidnapping victim in his native Venezuela, ultimately leading him to flee his homeland to make a difficult fresh start in the U.S. His second victory in the Fountain of Youth after Gunnevera’s success in 2017 testifies to how successful his transition has been.

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Those feel-good vibes were offset somewhat by an accident that marred the Fountain of Youth and led jockeys Junior Alvarado (High Oak) and Joel Rosario (Galt) to be checked for injuries. Alvarado injured an ankle; Rosario experienced back pain. In an encouraging sign, High Oak and Galt were recovered quickly by outriders and walked back to the barn of Bill Mott, their trainer, seemingly none the worse for the frightening episode.

It all made for an emotional scene in the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle.

“It’s incredible. My father was really lucky that life gave him a second chance after what he went through in Venezuela,” said Alex Sano, Antonio’s son, who is studying to be a veterinarian.

The first hostage-taking lasted only a couple of hours before a ransom was paid and Sano was freed. The second time was far more harrowing. Sano was held for 39 anguishing days.

“You would wake up every day not knowing if your dad would come home or not,” Alex said. He went on, “For us, just being alive, being here, it’s a great success. This is the cherry on top. Being here with this level of horses in this beautiful country, you couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Gunnevera used the Fountain of Youth on his path to the Kentucky Derby, where he ran seventh. He improved to fifth in the Preakness. He went on to earn more than $5.5 million in 21 lifetime starts.

The Ocala-based Bobo, through her company First Finds, focuses on pinhooking weanlings to yearlings  That was the plan for Simplification, a son of Not This Time. When it was clear that sesamoiditis would keep her from receiving what she perceived as fair value for the bay colt, she decided to campaign him herself.

Great decision.

Simplification led at every call in controlling the Jan. 1 Mucho Macho Man by four lengths in his 3-year-old debut. He tossed his head at the break and did well to be second to highly regarded White Abarrio in the Holy Bull (G3). No wonder Sano emphasized the importance of a clean start when he huddled with jockey Jose Ortiz before the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth.

“The start was very important,” the trainer said. “If the horse has a good start and a safe trip, you won’t have a problem. I wanted him to stay outside. Our horse in front with the speed horses won’t have a chance. The horse responded to Jose. He said ‘go,’ and it was all good.”

For Ortiz, the race unfolded perfectly.

“He broke well. He pulled me into the race. He put me there. At the three-eighths pole, I decided to go wide and follow Emmanuel, and he was there for me,” he said.

Simplification (5-2), breaking from post 2 in the field of 12, completed the distance in 1:44.04.

In Due Time (6-1), making the jump from allowance to stakes company, delighted trainer Kelly Breen by placing second with Paco Lopez aboard. Breen noted how much In Due Time has matured.

“To my eyes, he looks like a man,” he said. “Maybe at the turn of the year he looked like a boy.”

O Captain (87-1), the longest shot on the board, got up for third. Highly regarded Emmanuel (5-2) endured a wide trip and did well to be fourth for trainer Todd Pletcher, who looked forward to keeping him on the Derby trail.

Bobo said she has received numerous offers for Simplification. Interest will only increase now.

“Business is business, but we’re not looking to sell. We want to enjoy him,” she said, hurrying off to a post-race celebration.