Meet the Contenders: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes
Forte (left) outduels Loggins in the 2022 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)
March 3rd, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well among the field.
#1 GENERAL JIM ***
General Jim wins the Swale Stakes (Photo by Nicole Thomas/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Enters off career-best effort in Swale (G3) and has won around two turns before.
Con: Troubled trip in Mucho Macho Man S. two back, but that was a slow affair.
#2 LEGACY ISLE *
Pro: In a race without a lot of speed, he’ll be one of the ones to catch.
Con: Must improve quite a few lengths to surprise this field.
#3 SHADOW DRAGON **
Shadow Dragon wins maiden (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Took a big step forward in Holy Bull (G3), justifying his entry.
Con: This is easily the deepest case he’s ever faced.
#4 FORTE *****
Forte, with Irad Ortiz aboard, wins the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile for trainer Todd Pletcher, Keeneland Race Course, KY 11.04.2022. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
Pro: Juvenile champion and Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite is the class of the field.
Con: Odds-on favorites and those making their season debuts have struggled in this race of late.
#5 IL MIRACOLO *
Pro: Barn has won this twice, with Gunnevera (2017) and Simplification (2022).
Con: Well beaten in all three prior stakes tries; filler on paper.
#6 BLAZING SEVENS ****
Blazing Sevens winning the Champagne S. (G1) at Belmont at the Big A (Photo by Janet Garaguso/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Champagne (G1) winner off poorly in BC Juvenile (G1), but still a commendable fourth.
Con: No match against Forte in both prior meetings.
#7 MAGE **
Mage wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Impressive debut win for colt with nice pedigree, plenty of upside.
Con: Would need to be very special in order to win this in second career start.
#8 ROCKET CAN ***
Rocket Can winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Lauren King/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Has improved significantly since stretching out, including wide-trip win in Holy Bull.
Con: Has yet to run seriously fast and must improve several lengths.
#9 CYCLONE MISCHIEF **
Cyclone Mischief wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Turned in one of the better performances of the meet with his allowance win two back.
Con: Flopped in Holy Bull and might simply prefer one turn.
#10 DANGEROUS RIDE *
Dangerous Ride wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Enters off career best effort, though he was entered for a tag that day.
Con: Too slow on paper and one of the more obvious outsiders in the field.
