Fountain of Youth Day Stakes Results
by: Cindy Pierson Dulay, Article and Photos Courtesy of: horse-races.net

The best horses of the East Coast traditionally spend the winter at Gulfstream Park in Florida. On Saturday, four graded stakes were contested over the main track at the Hallandale Beach oval including two major Triple Crown prep races. Todd Pletcher had a banner day at the track, winning 5 races including three of the four stakes races.

The $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) featured 9 top 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles. 5-1 Scat Daddy raced in seventh early off the pace of 6-1 shot Stormello through quick fractions of 23.21 and 46.06, then rallied well out in the four path through the stretch to just get up by nose in 1:49.11. It was another 1/2 a length back to 3-5 favorite Nobiz Like Shobiz, who stalked the pace in third the whole way but could not improve position late.

Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "We were wide all the way around, but we got the trip we wanted. We took the overland route, but it was our only choice. Considering the inside bias, he overcame a lot to get it done. Scat Daddy overcame a lot to wear down a nice group of horses. I've never doubted he could go two turns." He will start next in the Florida Derby. Barclay Tagg, trainer of beaten favorite Nobiz Like Shobiz said, "I think he's a good horse. I don't why he ran like that. The jock said he was lugging in at the top of the stretch, and you lose a little ground when you straighten him out. The whole thing surprised me, I thought he'd lay third, then go to the front and win. I thought we'd go to the Wood Memorial, but now I don't know."

The other Triple Crown prep on the afternoon was the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2), a 7 1/2 furlong sprint. 7-1 shot King of the Roxy was off slowly, then stayed out wide away from traffic down the backstretch. Entering the stretch, he took over the lead and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over 12-1 longshot Bold Start in 1:28.00. It was a long 5 1/2 lengths back to 5-2 second choice Out of Gwedda in third, while lukewarm 2-1 favorite Forefathers broke slowly, raced near the rear of the field, and had no rally at the end, finishing seventh.

Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "He showed last year he was a quality horse, so this was the logical starting point. I noticed in the paddock how much he's filled out and matured. We freshened him up after the Breeders' Cup and have been pointing for this race for awhile. I don't think he's done at 7 1/2 (furlongs), but I also don't know if he's a 1 1/4 mile horse. He crossed a big hurdle today." Jockey Manoel Cruz aboard beaten favorite Forefathers said, "The plan was to break sharp, and then ride the race from there. Another horse got mad in the gate and I was the first horse to get in the gate. There goes the moment (last early)."

The older horse division competed in the $350,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) at 1 3/16 miles. Even-money favorite Corinthian did not disappoint his backers, stalking the pace of 9-1 Noble Causeway through a slow half in 48.20, then took over the lead midway around the turn and was all-out in deep stretch to hold off late-charging 3-1 Hesanoldsalt for the win in 1:55.06. It was just 1/2 a length back to 5-2 A.P. Arrow in third.

Winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens said, "This is really big. I knew today was going to be tough. You can't judge by an allowance win (Feb. 8). He ran great and fast, but other that Jazil, there wasn't much in that one. He took the worst of it today. I was afraid one of Nick's (Zito) horses would try to keep us out (off the rail), and that's what it looked like happened. I thought Hesanoldsalt was going to get him, but he dug down. Little by little he's learning how to act. Now he's not nervous. He's just ornery."

The $225,000 Richter Scale Breeders' Cup Sprint Championship Handicap (G2) featured ten older sprinters going 7 furlongs. 9-5 favorite Half Ours battled on the pace down the backstretch with 5-1 Bright One. Halfway through the stretch, Half Ours finally shook off Bright One and went on to win, holding off the late closing 11-1 Park Avenue Ball by 1/2 a length to get the victory in 1:22.21. It was another 1/2 lengths back to 5-2 second choice Diabolical in third, while Bright One faded badly late after the hotly contested duel to finish a distant fourth and was vanned off afterward.

Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "He's a really special horse, very talented. I think he'll stretch out, but he's in such good form right now, we ran him in here. All the credit goes to the Jones's for their patience. They love this horse. They bought the mare and a full-brother, who is a 2-year-old this year. We'll probably look at the Carter as our next start (Aqueduct on April 7)."


PHOTO: Scat Daddy

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