Tipsheet: 2024 Fountain of Youth Stakes Tipsheet

A high-quality field of nine sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park main oval in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) on Saturday. The 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will offer a total of 105 qualifying points (50-25-15-10-5) that will go to the top-five finishers in the event. 

Fountain of Youth Stakes Picks

• #1 Speak Easy
• #8 Locked
• #5 Dornoch
• #7 Frankie's Empire

Fountain of Youth Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #1 Speak Easy
• $5 exacta key box 1 with 5,6,8
• 50-cent trifecta 1,8 with 1,5,6,8 with all

Fountain of Youth Stakes Contenders

#1 SPEAK EASY: Impressive debut winner is the first of the Todd Pletcher duo in the cast and takes a huge step up in class in his second lifetime try. The Constitution colt overcame the rail and some talented foes in his unveiling, and he has trained forwardly in the interim, as well. The top pick will be saving ground while forwardly placed throughout beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr.   

#2 LE DOM BRO: Swale S. runner-up makes his third run off the long break and will need a lifetime best showing to be in the mix late with this group. This Eniel Cordero pupil has been first or second in all but one of his career tries to date and wouldn’t be a total shock to make the frame at a big price. Edwin Gonzalez has the call. 

#3 VICTORY AVENUE: Arrogate colt led early and stayed on well late to be runner-up on debut versus the leading selection. The Gustavo Delgado charge earned a hefty 100 Brisnet Speed figure for his work in that dash, and he is bred to handle the move to two turns on Saturday. John Velazquez will guide the top-three contender. 

#4 REAL MACHO: Rohan Crichton charge ran a career best when upsetting allowance foes on the course in his initial attempt with blinkers being removed last time out. The Mucho Macho Man colt came home with good energy most recently and could be a sneaky exotics threat with another move in the right direction. Tyler Gaffalione riding adds to his appeal. 

#5 DORNOCH: Full brother to reigning Kentucky Derby (G1) star Mage kicks off his sophomore campaign in this endeavor for conditioner Danny Gargan. The son of Good Magic concluded 2023 with a game win in the Remsen S. (G2) over the impressive Sierra Leone, and the bay comes in off of a swift half-mile morning drill in preparation for Saturday. Luis Saez retains the mount. 

[SCRATCHED] #6 MERIT: Saffie Joseph pupil aired in a fine debut victory which preceded a third-place showing in a recent allowance tilt on the oval. The Mastery homebred has both good pace and a turn of foot, and he sizzled five panels in advance of his stakes bow, as well. This Kentucky-bred has value with Edgard Zayas in the stirrups. 

#7 FRANKIE’S EMPIRE: Swale romper has never been better and is interesting as an off-the-pace contender in a field with a lot of early foot. The Classic Empire three-year-old will need a major move forward to upset the field, but he could come on late to grab a share in the final yard with Miguel Vasquez taking the reins. 

#8 LOCKED: Grade 1 star concluded his freshman season with a closing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita for Pletcher. The son of Gun Runner has displayed a powerful closing kick in each of his races to date, and his best showing will make him very difficult to beat in his seasonal debut. Regular pilot Jose Ortiz will guide the formidable colt. 

#9 DANCING GROOM: Holy Bull (G3) fifth gets a tough draw on the outside of this excellent field for Antonio Sano. The $60,000 son of Vino Rosso will make one run late in this spot, but others seem a lot more likely to make the frame on Saturday. Javier Castellano has the assignment.