Meet the Contenders: 2024 Fountain of Youth S.
Locked (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
February 27th, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Speak Easy (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#1 Speak Easy ****
Pro: Turned heads with fast debut victory on Pegasus World Cup Day.
Con: Concedes experience to other main players and might opt for Friday allowance.
One year after @KentuckyDerby winner Mage won a Pegasus World Cup Day maiden race at Gulfstream Park, Speak Easy impressed in an identical maiden contest.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) January 29, 2024
Your KY Derby Maiden Watch 👀 ⤵️ https://t.co/bmUgPnRh4w
Le Dom Bro (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#2 Le Dom Bro *
Pro: Second-place effort in Swale S., his swiftest through five starts.
Con: Doesn’t possess much speed figure power; improvement needed.
#3 Le Dom Bro digs deep on the inside to win R6 at Saratoga and give @Tyler_Gaff a riding triple today! 🤩
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 10, 2023
Antonio Sano trains the 2-year-old colt.
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/4MEqufidqR
Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#3 Victory Avenue ****
Pro: From connections of Mage, fits here despite debut loss.
Con: Can’t afford to go full blast while stepping up in distance.
Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#4 Real Macho **
Pro: Shockingly caught sharp maiden winner last out over a mile.
Con: Inconsistent through four starts and both wins around one turn.
Dornoch breaking his maiden at Keeneland (Photo by Keeneland Photos)
#5 Dornoch ****
Pro: Won key edition of Remsen (G2) against future Derby prep winners.
Con: Had bias working in favor of him at Aqueduct; faces other speed here.
Merit (Coglianese Photography)
[SCRATCHED] #6 Merit **
Pro: Graduated easily here and might have been a tad short in comeback.
Con: Must quicken facing more experienced stakes foes.
Frankie's Empire (Photo by Coady Photography)
#7 Frankie’s Empire **
Pro: Won Swale convincingly, though that didn’t come back a fast race.
Con: Blows hot and cold and perhaps a one-turn specialist.
Locked (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#8 Locked *****
Pro: Grade 1 winner one of the classier colts in the field; Breeders’ Cup-placed.
Con: Missed intended start at Tampa due to illness; might need one.
#9 Locked steps up in class off his impressive win and takes the G1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland under @jose93_ortiz for trainer Todd Pletcher! 🔒
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 7, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/zqqpqKq1eu
Dancing Groom (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#9 Dancing Groom *
Pro: Trainer/jock combo won this in 2017 with Gunnevera.
Con: Not seriously competitive in three prior Derby prep attempts.
#5 Dancing Groom dances home in R2 at Saratoga under @iradortiz for trainer Antonio Sano! 💃
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 19, 2023
This son of @spendthriftfarm stallion Vino Rosso improved while stretching out today in just his second start!
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/IlPBntl7ZV
