Tipsheet: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes

A strong field of 10 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2). The 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event will reward the top five finishers with points on a 50-20-15-10-5 structure.

Fountain of Youth Stakes Picks

• #4 Forte
• #9 Cyclone Mischief
• #6 Blazing Sevens
• #3 Shadow Dragon

Fountain of Youth Stakes Wager

• $10 trifecta: key 4 with 3, 6, 9

Fountain of Youth Stakes Contenders

#1 GENERAL JIM (6-1): The Shug McGaughey pupil was a smart winner of the recent Swale S. (G3) on the surface in his first start with blinkers on and gets a good post on the rail once again. The talented Into Mischief colt is proven on both turf and the dirt, and the added ground will likely benefit the improving sophomore. Luis Saez riding adds to his appeal.

#2 LEGACY ISLE (20-1): The Rohan Crichton trainee is the inside pace of the race and could be dangerous late if left alone in the early going at a big price. The dark bay colt tired after taking the lead turning for home in the Holy Bull S. (G3) last time out, but improvement is possible with the removal of blinkers on Saturday. Emisael Jaramillo will be in the stirrups.

#3 SHADOW DRAGON (12-1): Bill Mott's pupil has delivered huge late runs in two of his three career tries to date and I’m expecting another good effort through the stretch on this occasion. The $375,000 son of Army Mule was a clear runner-up in the Holy Bull (G3) most recently and will move up making his second start since the fall following two solid morning drills as of late. Jose Ortiz retains the mount atop the one-run closer.

#4 FORTE (7-5): The obvious one to beat coming off of his championship season in 2022. The standout son of Violence capped his juvenile campaign with a superb victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and has reportedly been training in excellent fashion for trainer Todd Pletcher in the interim. Regular pilot Irad Ortiz will be in the silks atop the formidable colt.

#5 IL MIRACOLO (30-1): The Antonio Sano pupil has been outrun in a trio of stakes races in succession and would be a major surprise while facing a field with this kind of depth.

#6 BLAZING SEVENS (7-2): Chad Brown's Good Magic colt capped a nice two-year-old campaign with a solid fourth-place showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The Champagne S. (G1) star has trained forwardly leading up to his 2023 unveiling and will make his presence felt from off of the early tempo on Saturday. Joel Rosario inherits the ride.

#7 MAGE (8-1): The Gustavo Delgado-trained debut winner is the wildcard in the field while making his second career run. The son of Good Magic earned a hefty 101 Brisnet Speed number for his sharp tally at first asking, but still faces a tall task on this occasion. The speedy prospect will have Javier Castellano taking the reins.

#8 ROCKET CAN (8-1): The second horse from the Mott shedrow rallied for a nice Holy Bull S. (G3) triumph in his Gulfstream Park bow last time out. The gray son of Into Mischief has shown marked improvement since being moved to two-turn racing, and if he takes another step forward, then the colt will surely be a factor in the lane under Junior Alvarado.

#9 CYCLONE MISCHIEF (12-1): A fantastic allowance winner on the oval two back, the Dale Romans charge failed to fire in the Holy Bull most recently. The bay son of Into Mischief remains a question mark going two turns, but I expect him to sit a perfect trip to the turn for home at a big price in this endeavor. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups once again aboard the value contender. 

#10 DANGEROUS RIDE (30-1): The Lord Nelson colt was a smart allowance winner in his latest engagement, but the Carlos David trainee will need a major step forward from the widest post to factor late in this offering.