Tipsheet: 2025 Fountain of Youth Stakes

An excellent field of eight will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $415,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis. 

Fountain of Youth Stakes Picks

• #6 River Thames
• #2 Sovereignty 
• #3 Burnham Square

Fountain of Youth Stakes Wagers

• $20 exacta 6 with 2,3 
• $1 trifecta 2,3,6 with 2,3,6 with all 

Fountain of Youth Stakes Contenders

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#1 GATE TO WIRE: First of two from the Todd Pletcher barn was a fine allowance winner in his dirt debut last time and gets the rail for his route bow. The chestnut son of Muinnings is bred to love the distance and is not without a chance with any improvement on Saturday. Dylan Davis has the call. 

#2 SOVEREIGNTY: Eye-catching Street Sense S. (G3) winner will make his seasonal debut for conditioner Bill Mott. The Into Mischief homebred has posted some nice morning drills leading up to his return, and the Godolphin color bearer will be a major threat with his best performance under Junior Alvarado. 

#3 BURNHAM SQUARE: Holy Bull S. (G3) star has improved his Brisnet Speed number with each career showing and is an obvious contender for trainer Ian Wilkes. The gelded son of Liam’s Map owns a potent turn of foot and has a clear affinity for the strip with a two-for-two local mark. The Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred will be stalking the early pace with Edgard Zayas retaining the ride. 

#4 MCKELLEN: McKinzie colt was a non-factor in the Mucho Macho Man S. and will need to show marked improvement to threaten this cast for trainer Jose D’Angelo. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the silks. 

#5 SOLID LEFT: Dark bay son of West Coast looked good in a maiden win first time going long most recently, but the Brian Lynch pupil will have to get faster to challenge this group inside the final furlong with Luis Saez retaining the mount. 

#6 RIVER THAMES: Pletcher trainee has been dominant from two lifetime appearances and the $200,000 yearling purchase could be the one in his initial stakes attempt. The New York-bred son of Maclean’s Music should handle the distance with ease after running one mile in his latest, and the colt will be forwardly placed throughout with John Velazquez riding once again. 

#7 NEOEQUOS: Saffie Joseph trainee has finished first or second in four sprint events in succession and will take a big class rise on this occasion. The Florida-bred son of Neolithic has substantial early foot, as well as Irad Ortiz Jr. taking the reins, so I expect him to be the one to catch as a dangerous pace player. 

#8 KEEP IT EASY: $435,000 son of Hard Spun romped in the Ed Brown S. at Churchill Downs to conclude 2024 and has trained swiftly in preparation for his seasonal bow. The dark bay Kentucky-bred will challenge for a share with his best effort under the guidance of Corey Lanerie. https://x.com/TwinSpires/status/1885840465414549884