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Fountain of Youth Stakes

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Fountain of Youth Stakes Winners

The Fountain of Youth Stakes was first run in 1945 out of Gulfstream Park. It currently serves as one of the Kentucky Derby prep races, and is more specifically used as a lead in to the Florida Derby.  It is eligible for three-year-old colts and currently has a purse of $400,000.

Originally contested at 1 1/16th miles, the Fountain of Youth Stakes debuted as a Grade-III race. It was promoted to Grade-II status in 1983, flirting with Grade-I status for five years between 1999-2003. The race was extended to 1 1/8th miles from 2005 through 2011 and was run at 1 mile in 2009, the year that Quality Road won.

The reigning speed record belongs to Sensitive Prince who set a mark of 1:41.00 flat in 1978. Eskendereya is the speed record holder at 1 1/8th miles, establishing a time of 1:48.87 in 2010.

In the 2017 Fountain of Youth Stakes, there were three favorites. Gunnevera was listed at 7/2 and earned the victory ahead of runner-up Practical Joke who was given 3/1 odds. Irish War Cry finished a distant seventh despite 5/2 odds of his own.

Several horses have scored double results in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby, but only three have won the Kentucky Derby.

Fountain of Youth Winner Interesting Facts

  • Orb won the 2013 Fountain of Youth Stakes and then went on to champion both the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby. He won the latter as a 5/1 favorite.  
  • Union Rags was the 2012 winner and also went on to win the Belmont Stakes, but finished seventh in that year’s Kentucky Derby.
  • Quality Road, who won the 2009 renewal that was limited to just a mile, would also go on to win the Florida Derby though he missed the Triple Crown due to injury. He was the odds on favorite to win the Kentucky Derby that season.
  • Scat Daddy would win both the 2007 Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby before finishing third last in the Kentucky Derby.
  • High Fly would win the 2005 Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby but fall to 10th in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
  • Vicar won the 1999 Fountain of Youth Stakes and Florida Derby but then lost the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes which were both won by Charismatic.
  • Thunder Gulch would win the 1995 Fountain of Youth Stakes on route to a sweep of the Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes. He was caught by Timber country and Oliver’s Twist while finishing third in the Preakness Stakes.
  • The 1979 Fountain of Youth Stakes was won by Spectacular Bid, who would go on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before falling short to third in the Belmont Stakes. He was the first winner of this race to find success in the Triple Crown.
  • Tim Tam won the 1958 Fountain of Youth Stakes and stormed through the Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before losing the Belmont down the home stretch due to a fractured leg. He was a surefire Triple Crown champion if not for the injury.
Derby Winners from Fountain of Youth: 13 (5 won both races)
KD Year Horse Prep Trainer         
2013Orb1stShug McGaughey
1995Thunder Gulch1stD. Wayne Lukas
1994Go for Gin2ndNick Zito
1990Unbridled3rdCarl Nafzger
1984Swale3rdWoody Stephens
1981Pleasant Colony2ndJohn Campo
1979Spectacular Bid1stBud Delp
1974Cannonade9thWoody Stephens
1970Dust Commander11thDon Combs
1968Forward Pass4thHenry Forrest
1966Kauai King1stHenry Forrest
1961Carry Back3rdJack Price
1958Tim Tam1stJimmy Jones

Fountain of Youth Winner Listing

Winner (Sex)Year (Race No.)Jockey (Weight)Time (Cond.-Beyer)Gross Purse-Gr.
Owner(s)Dis.-Track (Starters)TrainerOdds (Margin)Winner's Share
Mohaymen (c)*2016-Feb. 27 (12th)Junior Alvarado (120)1:42.84 (fast-95)$400,000-Gr. II
Shadwell Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (6)Kiaran McLaughlin0.40-1 (2 ¼ lengths)$245,520—70
Itsaknockout (c)2015-Feb. 21 (11th)Luis Saez (116)1:46.28 (fast-90)$400,000-Gr. II
Starlight Racing1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)Todd Pletcher5.40-1 (2 ¾ lengths)$240,560—69
Wildcat Red (c)2014-Feb. 22 (11th)Luis Saez (120)1:41.85 (fast-101)$415,000-Gr. II
Honors Stable Corp.1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)Jose Garoffalo4.50-1 (head)$255,000—68
+D-Orb (c)2013-Feb. 23 (11th)John Velazquez (116)1:42.24 (fast-97)$400,000-Gr. II
Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Shug McGaughey III5.40-1 (½ length)$240,000—67
     
Union Rags (c)2012-Feb. 20 (11th)Julien Leparoux (122)1:42.68 (fast-95)$400,000-Gr. II
Chadds Ford Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (7)Michael Matz1.20-1 (4 lengths)$240,000—66
Soldat* (c)2011-Feb. 26 (10th)Alan Garcia (120)1:50.23 (fast-96)$400,000-Gr. II
Harvey Clarke, Craig Robertson III, Paul Braverman & Namcook Stable1 1/8 Miles-GP (8)Kiaran McLaughlin1.40-1 (2 lengths)$240,000—65
Eskendereya (c)2010-Feb. 20 (10th)John Velazquez (120)1:48.87 (fast-106)$250,000-Gr. II
Zayat Stables LLC1 1/8 Miles-GP (10)Todd Pletcher3.90-1 (8 ½ lengths)$150,000—64
+Quality Road (c)2009-Feb. 28 (9th)John Velazquez (114)1:35.01 (fast-113)$250,000-Gr. II
Edward Evans1 Mile-GP (10)Jimmy Jerkens5.50-1 (4 ¼ lengths)$150,000—63
Cool Coal Man (c)2008-Feb. 24 (9th)Kent Desormeaux (118)1:50.07 (fast-98)$350,000-Gr. II
Robert LaPenta1 1/8 Miles-GP (12)Nick Zito7.30-1 (1/2 length)$210,000—62
+Scat Daddy (c)2007-March 3 (10th)John Velazquez (120)1:49.11 (fast-96)$350,000-Gr. II
James Scatuorchio & Michael Tabor1 1/8 Miles-GP (9)Todd Pletcher5.90-1 (nose)$210,000—61
First Samurai* (c)2006-March 4 (10th)Javier Castellano (116)1:49.00 (fast-94)$300,000-Gr. II
Lansdon Robbins III & Bruce Lunsford1 1/8 Miles-GP (10)Frank Brothers0.70-1 (1 length)$180,000—60
+High Fly* (c)2005-March 5 (11th)Jerry Bailey (120)1:49.70 (fast-99)$300,000-Gr. II
Live Oak Plantation1 1/8 Miles-GP (9)Nick Zito1.10-1 (3/4 length)$180,000—59
Read the Footnotes (c)2004-Feb. 14 (11th)Jerry Bailey (122)1:42.71 (fast-113)$250,000-Gr. II
Klaravich Stables Inc.1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)Rick Violette Jr.2.10-1 (neck)$150,000—58
Trust N Luck (c)2003-Feb. 15 (11th)Cornelio Velasquez (122)1:43.33 (fast-106)$200,000-Gr. I
E. Paul Robsham Stables LLC1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)Ralph Ziadie4.90-1 (5 ¼ lengths)$120,000—57
Booklet (c)2002-Feb. 16 (11th)Jorge Chavez (122)1:44.49 (wet fast-103)$200,000-Gr. I
John Oxley1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)John Ward Jr.5.20-1 (nose)$120,000—56
Songandaprayer (c)2001-Feb. 17 (10th)Edgar Prado (117)1:43.48 (fast-101)$200,000-Gr. I
Devil Eleven Stable & D J Stable1 1/8 Miles-GP (11)John Dowd18.00-1 (2 ½ lengths)$120,000—55
High Yield* (c)2000-Feb. 19 (10th)Pat Day (117)1:42.56 (fast-101)$200,000-Gr. I
Bob and Beverly Lewis, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor et al1 1/8 Miles-GP (11)D. Wayne Lukas2.40-1 (3 ¼ lengths)$120,000—54
+Vicar (c)1999-Feb. 20 (6th)Shane Sellers (114)1:45.64 (fast-97)$200,000-Gr. I
Jim Tafel LLC1 1/16 Miles-GP (10)Carl Nafzger4.60-1 (neck)$120,000—53
Lil’s Lad* (c)1998-Feb. 21 (10th)Jerry Bailey (112)1:42.63 (fast-113)$194,000-Gr. II
Lillian Durst, William S. Farish & Centennial Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (4)Neil Howard0.90-1 (2 ¼ lengths)$120,000—52
Pulpit* (c)1997-Feb. 22 (10th)Shane Sellers (112)1:41.86 (fast-104)$200,000-Gr. II
Claiborne Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Frank Brothers1.00-1 (1 ½ lengths)$120,000—51
Built for Pleasure (c)1996-Feb. 24 (10th)Gary Boulanger (112)1:43.64 (fast-100)$200,000-Gr. II
Thomas Heard Jr.1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Thomas Heard Jr.143.10-1 (neck)$120,000—50
+3D-Thunder Gulch (c)1995-Feb. 18 (9th)Mike Smith (119)1:43.21 (fast-105)$200,000-Gr. II
Michael Tabor1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)D. Wayne Lukas4.70-1 (neck)$120,000—49
Dehere (c)1994-Feb. 19 (9th)Craig Perret (119)1:44.70 (good-99)$200,000-Gr. II
Due Process Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (6)Reynaldo Nobles2.40-1 (3/4 length)$120,000—48
     
Duc d’Sligovil (g)1993-Feb. 27 (8th-Div. 1)Julie Krone (112)1:45.16 (fast-94)$188,490-Gr. II
Grajer Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Jeremy McNeill4.30-1 (2 ¼ lengths)$113,094—47
Storm Tower* (c)1993-Feb. 27 (10th-Div. 2)Rick Wilson (113)1:44.98 (fast-96)$188,490-Gr. II
Char-Mari Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Ben Perkins Jr.2.30-1 (3 lengths)$113,094—47
Dance Floor* (c)1992-Feb. 22 (10th)Chris Antley (122)1:45.32 (fast-98)$250,430-Gr. II
Oaktown Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (11)D. Wayne Lukas1.50-1 (4 ½ lengths)$150,258—46
+Fly So Free* (c)1991-Feb. 23 (10th)Jose Santos (122)1:44.30 (fast)$122,895-Gr. II
Thomas Valando1 1/16 Miles-GP (10)Scotty Schulhofer0.50-1 (6 lengths)$73,737—45
Shot Gun Scott (c)1990-March 3 (10th)David Penna (122)1:44.60 (fast)$129,045-Gr. II
H. & J. Friedberg Jr.1 1/16 Miles-GP (13)Ronald Sarazin25.30-1 (1/2 length)$77,427—44
     
Dixieland Brass* (c)1989-Feb. 18 (8th)Randy Romero (122)1:44.60 (fast)$272,954-Gr. II
Farish Jr. & Sharp1 1/16 Miles-GP (13)Charles Peoples1.20-1 (1 ¼ length)$130,000—43
Forty Niner* (c)1988-Feb. 15 (10th)Eddie Maple (122)1:43.20 (fast)$169,985-Gr. II
Claiborne Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Woody Stephens0.80-1 (nose)$98,991—42
Bet Twice* (c)1987-March 22 (10th)Craig Perret (122)1:43.40 (fast)$172,470-Gr. II
Blanche Levy & Cisley Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Warren A. “Jimmy” Croll Jr.1.00-1 (2 ½ lengths)$100,482—41
Ensign Rhythm1986-Feb. 17 (Div. 1)Julio Pezua (112)01:45.6$132,850-Gr. II
Lushland Farm1 1/16 Miles-GPLeo Azpurua Jr. $57,210—40
My Prince Charming1986-Feb. 17 (Div. 2)Jose Santos (112)01:45.0$133,850-Gr. II
Don Aronow1 1/16 Miles-GPNewcome Green $78,060—40
+Proud Truth1985-Feb. 18Jorge Velasquez (112)01:43.6$183,300-Gr. II
Darby Dan Farm1 1/16 Miles-GPJohn Veitch $106,860—39
Darn That Alarm1984-March 17Mike Venezia (112)01:44.6$152,000-Gr. II
Robert N. Caporella1 1/16 Miles-GPGeorge Gianos $73,200—38
     
Highland Park1983-Feb. 21 (Div. 1)Don Brumfield (122)01:44.6$75,563-Gr. II
Bwamazon Farm1 1/16 Miles-GPAnthony Basile $45,338—37
Copelan1983-Feb. 21 (Div. 2)Laffit Pincay Jr. (122)01:43.6$74,812-Gr. II
Fred Hooper1 1/16 Miles-GPMitchell Griffin $44,888—37
Star Gallant1982-March 22Sandy Hawley (117)01:43.2$91,050-Gr. II
Buckram Oak Farm1 1/16 Miles-GPLeonard Imperio $54,630—36
Winner (Sex)Year (Race No.)Jockey (Weight)Time (Cond.-Beyer)Gross Purse-Gr.
Owner(s)Dis.-Track (Starters)TrainerOdds (Margin)Winner's Share
Akureyri-CAN1981-Feb. 16Eddie Maple (119)01:44.4$79,495-Gr. III
Hickory Tree Stable1 1/16 Miles-GPWoody Stephens $47,697—35
     
Naked Sky1980-March 19Jerry Bailey (112)01:43.8$49,700-Gr. III
Maribel G. Blum1 1/16 Miles-GPNeal Winick $29,820—34
     
+3D-Spectacular Bid* (c)1979-Feb. 19 (9th)Ronnie Franklin (122)1:41.20 (fast)$50,000-Gr. III
Hawksworth Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (6)Bud Delp0.10-1 (8 ½ lengths)$35,880—33
     
Sensitive Prince* (c)1978-March 22 (9th)Mickey Solomone (114)1:41.00 (fast)$36,950-Gr. III
Top the Marc Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (11)Allen Jerkens0.50-1 (head)$22,170—32
+Ruthie’s Native (c)1977-Feb. 21 (9th)Craig Perret (122)1:42.00 (fast)$43,350-Gr. III
R. Perlmutter1 1/16 Miles-GP (15)Gene Jacobs25.90-1 (5 ½ lengths)$26,010—31
Sonkisser* (c)1976-March 24 (9th)Braulio Baeza (117)1:43.80 (fast)$37,950-Gr. III
H. I. Snyder1 1/16 Miles-GP (7)Stephen DiMauro1.50-1 (head)$22,770—30
Greek Answer* (c)1975-March 19 (9th)Mickey Solomone (122)1:42.80 (fast)$37,750-Gr. III
W. P. Gilbride1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)F. H. Merrill1.30-1 (4 lengths)$22,650—29
Green Gambados (c)1974-Feb. 20 (9th)Chuck Baltazar (112)1:42.40 (fast)$77,400-Gr. III
Harbor View Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (16)J. W. Jacobs43.40-1 (3/4 length)$46,440—28
Shecky Greene (c)1973-March 21 (9th)Braulio Baeza (122)1:43.80 (fast)$37,650-Gr. III
J. Kellman1 1/16 Miles-GP (6)Lou Goldfine1.10-1 (1 length)$22,590—27
Gentle Smoke (c)1972-Feb. 23 (9th)Walter Blum (113)1:42.00 (fast)$71,700
Forus Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)Dave Sazer5.10-1 (1 ¼ lengths)$43,020—26
Authorize (c)1971-March 17 (9th)Jacinto Vasquez (112)1:42.40 (fast)$33,600
Fred Hooper1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)John Russell2.00-1 (neck)$20,160—25
Corn off the Cob* (c)1970-March 18 (9th)Angel Cordero Jr. (113)1:44.60 (fast)$34,950
Fence Post Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)Arnold Winick1.10-1 (3 ½ lengths)$24,950—24
Al Hattab (c)1969-March 19 (9th)Ray Broussard (122)1:42.60 (fast)$22,925
Pelican Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (5)Warren “Jimmy” Croll Jr.3.60-1 (2 lengths)$13,925—23
Wise Exchange* (c)1968-March 20 (9th)E. Belmonte (122)1:43.80 (fast)$23,925
I. Bieber1 1/16 Miles-GP (13)Hirsch Jacobs1.50-1 (3/4 length)$14,925—22
+In Reality (c)1967-March 22 (9th)Earlie Fires (122)1:44.40 (fast)$24,125
Frances Genter1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)Melvin “Sunshine” Calvert3.00-1 (1/2 length)$15,125—21
D-Kauai King (c)1966-March 23 (9th)Don Brumfield (113)1:43.20 (fast)$18,550
Ford Stable1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)Henry Forrest2.40-1 (1 ¾ lengths)$11,550—20
     
Maribeau (c)1965-March 24 (9th)Samuel Boulmetis (111)1:44.60 (fast)$18,275
Briardale Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (13)J. W. Mergler25.90-1 (2 ½ lengths)$11,275—19
Dandy K (c)1964Mickey Solomone (112)1:44.80 (fast)$18,075
C. Carmine1 1/16 Miles-GP (9)R. E. Wittingham11.50-1 (1 length)$11,075—18
Cool Prince* (c)1963Jimmy Combest (110)1:45.80 (fast)$17,725
W. G. Helis Jr.1 1/16 Miles-GP (6)Nick Combest1.30-1 (1 ½ lengths)$10,725—17
Sharp Count* (c)1962Bill Shoemaker (110)1:43.20 (fast)$17,400
Reverie Knoll Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)L. G. Joffrion1.15-1 (2 ½ lengths)$10,400—16
Beau Prince (c)1961Eddie Arcaro (113)1:43.20 (good)$17,575
Calumet Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (7)Jimmy Jones4.75-1 (nose)$10,575—15
Eagle Admiral (c)1960Manny Ycaza (119)1:41.80 (fast)$17,675
Llangollen Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)Charlie Whittingham6.05-1 (1 length)$10,675—14
+Easy Spur (c)1959Bill Hartack (119)1:41.80 (fast)$17,400
Spring Hill Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)P. L. Kelley3.95-1 (8 lengths)$10,400—13
+3D-Tim Tam* (c)1958Bill Hartack (122)1:42.80 (fast)$17,400
Calumet Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (10)Jimmy Jones0.65-1 (2 lengths)$10,400—12
+Gen. Duke* (g)1957Bill Hartack (119)1:44.00 (sloppy)$18,695
Calumet Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (10)P. L. Kelley0.20-1 (1 ½ lengths)$11,695—11
     
Oh Johnny (c)1956Hedley Woodhouse (114)1:44.20 (fast)$19,950
W. Gilroy1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)N. R. McLeod9.75-1 (head)$12,765—10
Nance’s Lad* (c)1955J. Choquette (117)1:43.20 (fast)$20,750
Dabson & Caithness1 1/16 Miles-GP (13)H. A. Dabson1.50-1 (2 lengths)$13,550—9
Sea o’ Erin (c)1954Johnny Adams (112)1:48.60 (muddy)$18,500
Hasty House Farm1 1/16 Miles-GP (10)H. Trotsek2.70-1 (4 lengths)$11,800—8
Ram o’ War (c)1953 (Div. 1)Doug Dodson (115)1:42.60 (fast)$18,850
B. S. Campbell1 1/16 Miles-GP (12)J. J. Sarner Jr.17.90-1 (4 lengths)$12,150—7
Tribe (c)1953 (Div. 2)B. Green (120)1:43.40 (fast)$19,000
V. S. Bragg1 1/16 Miles-GP (13)J. W. Healy2.65-1 (2 ¼ lengths)$12,300—7
No Running1952   
Alerted (c)1951W. Cook (114)1:24.20 (good)$5,000
Hampton Stable7 F-GP (8)J. Penrod5.40-1 (neck)$3,250—6
Black George (c)1950Ken Church (110)1:23.40 (fast)$5,000
W. H. Veeneman7F-GP (6)R. Barnett9.00-1 (neck)$3,250—5
Count-a-Bit (c)1949John “Jack” Robertson (116)1:44.20 (fast)$5,000
F. A. Blazer1 1/16 Miles-GP (8)F. Blazer4.60-1 (2 lengths)$3,200—4
No Running1948   
Tight Squeeze (c)1947R. Sisto (117)1:11.80 (fast)$9,925
Rarco Stable6 F-GP (15)Merritt Buxton4.05-1 (nose)$7,150—3
Atomic Power* (c)1947M. Buxton (116)1:40.60 (fast)$7,500
Rarco Stable1 Mile 70Y-GP (9)Merritt Buxton1.10-1 (5 lengths)$6,050—2
No Running1946   
Twenty Thirty*1945William “Bobby” Watson (118)1:45.20 (good)$5,000
H. C. Hatch1 1/16 Miles-GP (11)C. Howard2.55-1 (1 ¾ lengths)$3,200—1